1. Does my extension or loft conversion need planning permission?
Answer: Planning permission is needed for some kinds of home additions and loft conversions. You will need to get permission from the local planning authority for your project if it goes beyond what is allowed under permitted building rights, such as size limits or restrictions made by conservation areas. When you apply, our team at 4D Planning can look over your project and help you complete it to maximise your chances of success.
2. What is Permitted Development, and Can I Extend My House Without Planning Permission?
Answer: Permitted Development rights allow homeowners to extend their property without applying for full planning permission, provided they meet specific size and design criteria. However, these rights do not apply in conservation areas, for flats, or listed buildings. Get in touch with us for a professional assessment of your eligibility and to help design your extension to ensure compliance with the permitted development rights.
3. How long does it take to get permission from the planning department?
Answer: It usually takes 8 weeks to get planning permission in the UK, but it can take up to 13 weeks for more complicated cases. Delays can happen because of things like neighbours' objections, limits in conservation areas, and extra planning conditions. For a faster acceptance process, our team can help you make your application more professional looking, with good design and compliance with the validation requirements to ensure the council don’t delay. From our experience dealing with multiple local authorities, some are understaffed and with a high workload of applications, the application could still be delayed even if everything complies with the validation requirements and the application is likely to be approved. There is no way to predict how long it will actually take for a decision to be made, but it should be 8-13 weeks from validation. Local authorities often encourage planning officers to request an extension of time from the applicant, so that there statistics continue to show that they usually determine the application within the statutory timeframe.
4. What Happens If I Build Without Planning Permission?
Answer: If you build without the necessary planning permission, the local council can issue an enforcement notice requiring you to:
- Apply for retrospective planning permission.
- Modify or remove the structure.
Ignoring enforcement notices can result in legal action or fines. It’s best to get professional planning advice before starting construction.
4D Planning can advise on the project in terms of whether the council are likely to grant permission should the client wish to apply retrospectively. We can also assist with a planning appeal against the council’s enforcement action.
5. What Is the Difference Between Planning Permission and Building Regulations Approval?
Answer: Planning permission has to do with how a building project will look, how big it will be, and how it will affect the surroundings. Approval from the Building Regulations makes sure that the building meets standards for quality and safety. Your project might need Building Regulations approval even if it doesn't need planning permission. In both cases, our team at 4D Planning can help you.
Building Regulations are not required until after planning permission is approved.
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