Stage 2: Planning

There are three types of 'planning' approval for proposed home extensions and we will advise on the application which is suitable for your project:


  1. Certificate of Lawful Use for permitted development
  2. Prior approval for 'larger extensions', and
  3. Householder applications in all other cases where the first two do not apply.


A certificate of lawfulness for permitted development is an application that applies to smaller home extensions that fall within the limits for permitted development. This type of application confirms that the proposed extension meets all the necessary criteria and can be built without the need for planning permission.


The limits for rear extensions have been doubled (6 meters for terraced or semi-detached homes, and 8 meters for detached homes) and in these cases a Prior approval application is submitted. In this process the neighbours are consulted and if they do not object then Prior Approval will not be required and work can proceed. If they do object the local planning authority will then consider the impact of the proposed extension on the neighbouring properties and decide whether or not to grant permission. All other permitted development criteria also need to be met.


A householder application is a more comprehensive application that applies to larger and more complex home extensions. This type of application requires detailed plans and information about the proposed extension, as well as information about how it will impact the local area. Most planning authorities will have design guides or policies which cover home extensions and your proposals will need to comply with these.

Typical Scope of Work

  1. Prepare the final ‘CAD’ drawings based on the agreed design.
  2. Prepare additional supporting documents as required.
  3. Download an OS plan and set-up the block & location plans.
  4. Complete the required form and submit the application (Certificate of
  5. Lawfulness).
  6. Deal with all queries through to a decision
  7. Receive the decision notice and advise you of any further actions
  8. required or proceed to the next stage.  


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