All set to start with your dream home but confused how to get planning permission for a new build?
It’s imperative to understand the entire system in a detailed manner, as it will help you navigate the process better.
So, here’s everything that you want to know about planning permission for new build homes, application, types, fees, how to apply and what happens post application process.
What is Planning Permission and when it is needed?
The approval or consent given by a local authority for a building project to go ahead is called planning permission, and this consent is in place to eliminate illegal and inappropriate development.
Planning permission is usually required when you plan to go for new build, home extension or any major change to the property.
Decisions regarding planning permission grant are decided on the basis of national policies set by National Planning Policy Framework and local policies set by local authorities.
The planning application should be filed to and granted by your LPA (Local Planning Authority) before you plan to begin the construction work.
Is Planning Permission Really Important for new builds?
Yes, it’s crucial for every new build to apply for the planning permission.
Where you carry out a project without getting a permit from the LPA, there is a big chance that you will be served an enforcement notice to undo all the alterations you made.
Ignoring the enforcement notice is considered illegal and may invite penalties, fines and even prosecution.
In fact, no professional builder will touch your new build without the necessary rights and approval from the LPA.
How to Get Planning Permission for new builds in United Kingdom?
To get planning permission, you need to submit an application to the Local Planning Authority (LPA) via your local council either in person or online.
There are two types of planning permission you may seek or new build homes:
1. The Outline Planning Permission:
This doesn’t give you the approval to begin work.
The basic idea is to test if your project will be given consent, meaning that this permission grants license in principle since no design specifics were included in the application.
2. The full Planning Permission:
Gives you the right to begin work, and it covers the entire detail/plan of your new build, and you must follow the detailed plan on paper to the letter.
If there is a chance that your building will deviate from the initial design, you will need to submit it for full planning.
How to apply for planning permission?
The application for planning permission can be applied online or you can contact the local authority office.
You can easily fill the form yourself or take help of any agent to do that for you.
You need to submit all your proposed plans such as layouts, floor plans, elevations etc that details out your proposed plan.
It will take usually 8 weeks for the Local authority to process your application.
The LPA may reach out to your neighbours asking for opinions or any objections. So, it’s always better to take your neighbours informed and in confidence.
Other Planning Considerations
Apart from informing your neighbours, there are several other considerations/approvals that you need to consider along your planning permission.
These may include:
- Working on your design and understand how it may look on the street or in the surrounding landscape.
- It should not pose any kind of disruption or hindrance to normal public activity.
- The new design of the property should not encourage crimes such as burglary.
- You need to make sure that there are no restrictions posed to the title of the property. Also, there aren’t any suspicious clauses in the lease agreement.
What is Included in a Planning Permission Application?
- Copies of the application form (5)
- Signed ownership certificate
- Detailed building plan (block plan, site plan, elevations)
- Access and Design Statement
- Drainage information
- Application fee
What Happens After You Apply?
Usually, it takes eight weeks to know if your application was approved or not.
During this period, a public consultation process occurs so people who can be impacted by the plans can comment.
There are certain factors known as material consideration that the local authority bases its decisions on;
- Loss of privacy
- Overshadowing
- Parking
- Traffic
- Highway safety
- Noise
- Impact on conservation areas and listed building
- Layout
- Density of building
- Government policy
- Previous decisions
What if My Application is rejected?
There are two things you can do from here;
- You can either make the changes and come to an agreement with the Local Authority
- You can appeal the decision.
To help you manoeuvre these treacherous waters, you can ask for help from a planning officer or leave your application in the hands of your builder.
Since they build a lot, they know how to navigate the waters and make the dream home you want.
How much does it cost to get planning permission for a new build?
Depending on the complexity of the application, the LPA (local planning office) decides the application fee.
The fee details will be shared with you before submission of application is that you can reconsider whether to apply or not in case you are still not sure.
How long does it take to get planning permission for a new build?
Usually the application process takes around 8 weeks to get fully completed but the time may vary depending on the complexity of the project.
Apart from that, gaining planning permission doesn’t mean that you can kick start your work immediately.
Make sure to comply by all the conditions that are attached with the planning permission consent.
For how long planning permission is valid?
Usually, the planning permission consent is valid upto three years from the date it has been granted.
Else, it would be mentioned in the consent itself.
You can start your construction work anytime within the given time frame.
If the time period expires, you need to apply fresh.
Bottom Line
Hope you have understood the process of obtaining planning permission for new build house.
It’s imperative to partner with a trusted and reputed builder having years of experience that turns your dream home real and makes sure you comply by all consents of planning permission as well as building regulations.
TEL Constructions is the leading and #1 choice of architects and developers in UK for new builds and home extension.
Reach to us at 020 8158 4006 or email us at support@telconstructions.co.uk for more assistance and book your free home visit today.
