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Planning Permission, in simple terms, is like asking if you can do a certain piece of building work. Various Town and Country Planning Acts require that local authorities should control what can be built, where and how buildings (and land) should or should not be used. Planning permisson is concerned with “what” you build.

We specialise in all types of applications including residential extentions, loft conversions, permitted development, prior approval, convert to flats and full planning applications. Below, please find simplified answers of frequently asked questions for planning applications. 

What is Planning Permisson?

In the UK you are required to ask for permission to undertake building work. This permission is known as planning permission and is required for most types of development, including:

  • building work
  • engineering work
  • materially (significantly) changing the use of a building or piece of land
  • mining work

Some minor building work and changes in the way you use land or buildings or some minor building works are automatically allowed. These categories of work are known as permitted development. 

What does a Planning Application require?

Planning application should describe precisely the existing situation of the whole building and the proposal. Addition to changes in the building, it is necessary to show the relation with surroundings and neighbours. The essential documents are;

  • All existing drawings of the property (floor plans, elevations, sections)
  • All proposed drawings (floor plans, elevations, sections, site plans)
  • A detailed Design and Access Statement (if required)
  • Heritage Statement, Flood Risk Assessment, Arboricultural Report etc (we will advise if these are required for your planning applications)
  • Site plan and block plan,
  • Ordnance Survey Map
  • Application forms, Notification letters

How do we assist you?

With our highly-motivated team, we are ready to help you to achive your goals and complete your project hassle free. We tried to give as much as information in our website and answer some common questions about planning process. However, we believe each client has different needs and each space is unique. Therefore, as a first step we arrange an appointment with you in your property. We inform you about planning policies, limits of your projets and how can we design a best space together. We act as your agent and submit your application to the LPA(local planning autority). 

If permission is granted, we guide you to work with time-efficient and genuine contractors, engineers or builders. We provide project management, site control, building regulation drawings. We assist you for part wall and building control as well. 

As Studio LIA, our purpose is walking all steps of your project together, from initials sketches to the final touch. Please check our Interior Design and Landscape sections for further information. 

Steps To Follow

  • Once you contact with us and describe your needs, we carry out a desktop study including local policies of your council and planning history of your building. 
  • We meet with you at your property and discuss your requirements, design options and how we can build a feasible project for the planning policies. You should consider what kind of space you need, 
  • In 3 working days, we generate conceptual visuals and drawings to give you better imagination for your completed project and discuss the best option in terms of budget, style and time. 
  • We come to your property second time for detailed laser survey and we generate drawings between 6 to 14 days. This includes all existing and proposal floor plans, sectiosn, elevations and 3D visuals. 
  • We invite you to our office to discuss final revisions and approval before submission of the documents to your LPA(local planning authority). 

What is Permitted Development?

Some types of minor building works do not require planning permission. This is called Permitted Development‘.

It applies to many common projects for houses. Examples include:

  • Works to a boundary wall below a certain height
  • Adding small extensions
  • Installing solar panels

Permitted development does not apply to flats, caravans or other buildings and is restricted for buildings in conservation areas and listed buildings. In some occasions, It is time-efficient path to follow and we will discuss with you if your project is considered under Permitted Development Rights. You can reach more information via Do you need permission? on the Planning Portal website or here

How does Neighbourhood Consultation Scheme effects my project?

The scheme relates to planning and is a method of pre-approval; if you wish to build a large extension you must notify the local authority, who will then consult the adjoining neighbours to advise them of your planned development.

If your neighbours raise any concerns or objections, the local authority will decide if their objections reveal any impact on the amenity of the neighbouring properties and whether your plans can go ahead.

This scheme only applies to larger single-storey rear extensions which are permitted until 30 May 2019. This means that extensions of between four and eight metres for detached houses and between three and six metres for all other houses, must go through this process.

For more information please click here.

Building Regulations

Building Regulations in England are made under the Building Act 1984 and are regularly changed and updated.

Building Regulations set standards for the design and construction of buildings to ensure the safety and health for people, including those with disabilities in or about those buildings and to help conserve fuel and power.

We build or control your project according to up-to-date regulations and assist you with Building Control inspections. It is important to underline that either you build your project under the law of permitted development or contemporary structure, your project still needs to comply with the Building Regulations for health and safety reasons. 

How Long does Planning Application Process take?

In considering planning applications, the Planning Department must follow certain procedures such as advertising, neighbour notification and consultation with statutory bodies and the local Council.
The Department should determine your application within eight weeks. Large or complex applications may take longer.

Sample Projects

Loft Conversion / Lewisham


Contact

phone:   020  3759 4582
mobile:  074 9157 0848
email:     info@studio-lia.com

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