Planning Permission
Everything You Need to Know & Understand
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What is Planning Permission?
Planning permission is the official consent required from local authorities for proposed developments, ensuring that construction aligns with regulatory standards and does not lead to improper land use. Whether building a new home or making substantial modifications to an existing structure, obtaining planning approval is typically essential.
The approval process plays a critical role in determining the viability of a development, particularly in cases where agricultural land is being considered for conversion into a profitable building site.
Decisions on planning applications are guided by national policies, such as the National Planning Policy Framework, alongside the specific planning regulations set by the local authority governing the site.
What are planning drawings?
Planning drawings are architectural drawings submitted to the local planning authority to illustrate and support a proposed development. They help officials understand the project and decide whether to approve it.
These drawings are part of the planning application but focus only on key aspects of the design. They do not include technical details like structural elements, joinery, insulation, or floor and roof construction.
What types of projects required planning drawings
Before deciding whether you need planning drawings, it’s important to check the guidelines set by the local authorities, which can be found on the Planning Portal.
Some projects may fall under Permitted Development Rights, allowing certain changes to be made without the need for planning permission.
However, if a project does not qualify for Permitted Development, planning permission is required. In such cases, planning drawings are necessary, though the specific requirements vary depending on the project.
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What drawings do you need for planning?
The drawings needed for a planning application depend on the scope and complexity of the project.
Some drawings, like the site location plan and block plan, are required for all applications. Additionally, there are standard mandatory drawings that apply nationwide, along with specific local requirements that vary by council. It’s essential to check with your local authority in advance to ensure compliance.
Site location plan
A Site Location Plan, also known as a Location Plan, is a drawing that identifies the site of an architectural project within its surrounding context. It provides a clear understanding of the project’s position in relation to nearby structures, roads, and land ownership.
Block plan (or site plan)
A Block Plan is a zoomed-in version of the site plan showing the proposed development in more detail. It shows the relationship between the property with the plot boundary and immediate surroundings and is sometimes simply called a ‘Site Plan’.
Roof plans
A roof plan is simply a drawn view of the roof from above. It shows the proposal in its immediate context, similar to a block plan but in more detail.
Floor plans
Floor plans provide a clear overview of the layout of spaces within a development. Each floor has its own individual floor plan to represent its design.
For a planning application, two sets of floor plans are required:
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Existing Floor Plans – Showing the current layout of the property as it is.
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Proposed Floor Plans – Illustrating how the new layout will relate to the existing structure.
To make proposed changes easy to identify, existing property lines can be shown in a different colour on the proposed plans. This ensures a clear distinction between what exists and what is being proposed.
Elevations
Elevation drawings show how a project will look before and after completion, typically from the front, rear, right, and left. Not all four elevations are needed—only those affected by the proposed changes.
For example, if only the right-side windows are being altered, only the right elevation is required.
Two sets of elevations are needed for a planning application:
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Existing Elevation – The current property.
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Proposed Elevation – Showing the new changes.
Sections
An architectural section is the view of the building when assumed to be cut across by a vertical plane. It is mainly used to indicate the relationship between different spaces and levels of the building.
Details
Details or joinery drawings are highly accurate drawings that are generally required to be submitted for a Planning Application along with Listed Building Consent. These drawings are able to describe the fixtures and fittings in a clear and concise manner, especially for replacement alterations.
The Process
Planning applications can be complex, but Zahn streamlines the process for you. Avoid the hassle of navigating the system alone—reach out to Zahn today for expert guidance and seamless support.
Contact your Local authority
Before submitting a planning application, it’s always best to consult your local planning department, as they will be responsible for reviewing it. Not all building work, extensions, or home alterations require planning permission—some projects may fall under permitted development rights.
Submit your plans
Planning applications are submitted and managed through an online planning portal, which varies depending on your location within the UK.
Your application is assessed
Your local authority will review your application and gather public feedback from your neighbors before making a decision. Feedback will be provided through the planning portal, and you may need to amend and resubmit your plans if required. Depending on the project, both planning permission and building regulations approval may be necessary.
General guidelines that apply for all planning drawings
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Size: Drawings should be A3 or A4 for easy printing. Avoid scaling larger than A1.
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Title Bar: Include a title, drawing number, date, paper size, scale, and ensure the drawing is in PDF format.
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Revised Drawings: Mark the revision number, changes, and date clearly.
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Scale: Use standard metric scales (e.g., 1:50, 1:100, 1:200). For joinery details, use scales like 1:5, 1:10, or 1:20. Indicate scale with a scale bar.
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Orientation: Maintain consistent orientation across all drawings.
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Access and Parking: Show all access points, roads, parking spaces, and visibility splays that affect neighboring properties.
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Proposed Changes: Clearly mark proposed changes, ideally using color to differentiate between existing and new parts.
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Level Changes: Indicate proposed level changes and provide site sections with elevations if necessary.
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Neighboring Impact: For projects impacting neighboring properties, show trees and significant elements, dimensioned accurately.
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Overhanging Trees: If there are overhanging trees from neighboring properties, provide a tree survey with position, measurements, and species.
How much does it cost to submit planning drawings?
Planning application fees vary by project type and complexity. A service charge also applies for submissions via the Planning Portal, the fastest and most efficient method.
What happens if your planning permission application is refused?
If your application is refused, you will receive a list of reasons from your LPA. You can either address these and reapply or appeal to the Planning Inspectorate. In England, only 25% of applications are denied, and nearly half of those succeed on appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I build without permission?
This may vary depending on the type of consent being sought but, generally speaking, your application should include the following:
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Your local authority may require demolition of the work.
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You might have to submit a retrospective planning application, but approval is not guaranteed.
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If the application is refused, an enforcement notice could force you to reverse the changes.
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Properties with unauthorized work are unmortgageable, which can cause major issues if you decide to sell.
How long does planning permission last?
Typically, you have three years from the date planning permission is granted to begin work.
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If you haven’t started by the deadline, you’ll need to reapply for permission.
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In some cases, extensions may be possible—check with your local planning authority.
When can I begin building after being granted planning permission?
Congratulations! With planning approval secured, you can begin your project as soon as you're ready.
If you're not starting immediately, it's important to know how long your permission remains valid—read on to ensure you don’t miss key deadlines.
Can i alter my plans after the planning permission has been granted
Yes...and no.
Small, or minor, alterations to the original plans are usually fine. Major changes, however, will often require submission of a further full planning permission application.