Planning Permission Made Simple For UK Homeowners

The first knock on your door won’t be from the builder. It’ll be from the neighbour who’s just seen a skip on your driveway and doesn’t like the look of it.

Then it might be the council. And then it gets expensive.

Planning permission isn’t just paperwork. It’s what stands between a smooth job and a legal mess.

We asked Mark Crater who owns Fulham Lofts and Dulwich Loft Conversions what you need to know — without the waffle.

What is planning permission?

It’s legal approval from your local council to carry out certain types of building work.
If you build without it, they can make you undo the work — even if it’s finished.

Planning permission looks at:

• How your project affects neighbours
• The look of your building
• Its size, height, and layout
• The surrounding area

It’s not the same as building regulations.
That’s about safety and structure. This is about what’s allowed.

When do you need it?

You’ll probably need planning permission if you’re:

• building something new
• making a major change to your home (like a large extension)
• changing the use of a building (like turning a garage into a house)

There are also rules for:

• loft conversions
• garden rooms
• porches
• driveways
• fences

Some jobs fall under something called permitted development.
That means you don’t need permission — but there are strict limits.

Don’t guess.
Check with your local authority or ask a builder who knows the area.

Common mistakes people make

Starting too early

It takes eight weeks (or more) to get a decision.
Start before you get approval, and you’re gambling with your time and money.

Thinking small jobs are always allowed

Not always true. Even a side extension can need planning permission, especially in conservation areas.

Not reading the small print

You might get conditional permission.
That means certain things must be done first — like adding obscure glass to a window or planting a hedge.
Ignore those, and your approval doesn’t count.

Trusting the neighbour’s advice

They mean well.
But their extension from 2004 doesn’t mean yours is allowed now.
Planning laws change. So does your council’s attitude.

How to apply

You can apply online through the Planning Portal.
You’ll need:

• Proper plans (drawn to scale)
• A location map
• Details of the work

Then pay the fee (usually around £200 for a householder application) and wait.

You might need extra documents, like flood risk assessments or tree reports. The council will tell you if that’s the case.

What if you’re refused?

You can appeal. Or change the plans and try again. Sometimes a small tweak is enough. But if you’re not sure what to do, get help from a planning consultant or an experienced builder.

A word on building regs

Getting planning permission doesn’t mean you can start building. You still need to follow building regulations — different thing, different rules.

You may need to notify Building Control before work begins, and they might inspect the work during and after the job.

Final word

Planning permission is simple — once you understand the rules.
But the cost of getting it wrong is high.

Ask before you act.
Don’t rely on old advice or guesswork.

And don’t let a small form turn into a big fine.