Planning Permission
Most development needs planning permission. This helps local authorities manage change in their areas for the benefit of the public. The local authority need to understand the likely effect of any proposals to make well informed and balanced decisions.
A good planning application addresses all these issues and if sympathetic to it's surroundings can enhance an area. If the application is within the settlement boundary of the local area plan, the local authority has a duty to give planning permission if all requirements are met. 3DSketch Ltd will liaise with the local authority to understand what their requirements are on a given planning application, and this sometimes means that compromises may need to be made by the applicant and the local authority.
Permitted Development Rights
Planning permission is not required on certain types of buildings, extensions and changes of use. As of October 2008 new rules were brought in by the government to reduce the number of planning applications to local authorities. Advice still needs to be sought from the local authority to establish whether planning permission is required and most local authorities are using a Certificate of Lawfulness to deal with these applications.
An application for a Certificate of Lawfulness or a decision on whether planning permission is needed will cost between £75 - £250 depending on the local authority. The information that can be required for this application could be as detailed as a full planning application. There is also no given time scale for a response to an application as there is with a planning application.
3DSketch Ltd can provide drawings and other information required by the local authority for a Certificate of Lawfulness application. It must be stressed that it could be very costly to carry out building works on the premise that planning permission is not required. If it is deemed that planning permission was required and a retrospective planning application is submitted and turned down, the work that has been carried out may have to be demolished.
If you have any doubts about Permitted Development Rights, or indeed if you need clarification, please do not hesitate to contact 3DSketch Ltd for free advice.
If you are unsure what you need Planning Guidance is a useful link. Alternatively if you need more detailed information try the Planning Portal.
Useful Links
Planning Guidance
Statutory Approvals
UK Architectural Services - List of UK architectural practices offering residential and commercial services.
ebuild.co.uk: Self Build Guide: UK guide to self build, diy and house renovation
