Common Planning Applications Explained
We have provided here, a summary of the more common types of planning applications that you would likely encounter with residential building projects. Each carry a different set of requirements for drawings, supporting surveys and documents that are necessary for the local planning authority to consider your application.
The planning portal has a helpful calculator for determining the fee for specific types of planning applications which can be found here.
Pre - Application Advice
This is an optional step and although it will not give you any official consent, it is often a quick and cost effective way (before you procure more detailed design work) to test the support that the planners would have towards a potential development and for their help and advice as to how to strengthen a future application. It needs only a basic drawing of what you intend to do, however its worth noting that the more information you can give them at this stage, the more comprehensive the planners feedback will be.
The cost of pre-application advice is set by your specific local authority and can vary between around £100 - £500 and takes approximately 4 weeks for a response.
Householder application
This is only for people who want to alter or enlarge an existing dwelling or build a shed, garage or other outbuilding within the curtilage of an existing house. They require less supporting information when compared to a full application.
A Householder application costs £270 and will initially be given an 8 week target for a decision, although this can be longer depending on the size and complexity of the application and the workload of the local planning authority.
Permission in principle
This alternative route for permission only applies to certain minor residential developments (up to 9 dwellings). It separates the consideration of matters of principle for proposed development from the technical detail of the development.
A permission in principle consent route has 2 stages: the first stage (or permission in principle stage) establishes whether a site is suitable in-principle and the second (‘technical details consent’) stage is when the detailed development proposals are assessed.
For certain developments, its initially a quicker and cheaper route to approval. Costs are based on site area (£402 for each 0.1 hectare or part thereof) and takes approximately 5 weeks for the first stage permission.
As it is a fairly new permission route, it’s worth noting that some local authorities have relatively little experience with this type of application.
Full Planning application
The most common type of planning application, requiring a robust submission of details relating to a development.
Once permission has been granted it usually carries a number of conditions that require specific details to be submitted to the local authority at key stages during the construction phase.
Planning applications are initially given an 8 week target for a decision, although this can be longer depending on the size and complexity of the application and the workload of the local planning authority.
The cost of a full planning application depends on the scale and type of development but is currently £526 for a single new build dwelling.
Non-material Amendments (NMA) to an existing permission.
This is an application to allow an amendment to a planning permission that is non-material in nature.
The cost of this type of application is £34 for Householder applications or £298 for any other consent. This is usually determined within 4 weeks.
If you need assistance with planning applications, give us a call on 01943 604123 to discuss your project and we’ll do our best to help you with any questions you may have.
