Houses & extensions
New homes, extensions and alterations, including checking whether permitted development could apply.
Home / Planning permission
Planning permission
Planning is a design problem, so we treat it like one
For many projects, planning permission is the hinge between a good idea and a buildable one. We design with it in mind from day one.
Our approach
Strategy before submission
Applications go wrong when the design is finished first and the planning case is added afterwards. We do it the other way round: reading the site, the policy and the local context early, then shaping the proposal so it answers the questions a planning officer will ask.
The result is a clearer application, fewer avoidable objections and a smoother route to a decision. We cannot promise an outcome, because the decision is the council’s, but we can make sure the case is as strong as it can be.
Process
How we approach an application
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Read the site
History, constraints, neighbours, character and policy designations, reviewed before drawing begins.
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Test the policy
We check the proposal against the local and national policies it will be measured by, and refine it.
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Prepare the case
Coherent drawings and supporting documents that tell one clear story and resolve risks early.
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Submit & manage
We submit, respond to officers and consultees, and keep you informed through to a decision.
Applications
Where planning comes in
Change of use
Converting shops, offices and houses into clinics or other uses, with the planning case that requires.
Small developments
Schemes with several homes or mixed uses, with a planning strategy suited to the site.
FAQ
Planning questions we hear most
Do I always need planning permission?
No. Some work can be done under permitted development, and some does not need consent at all. We check early so you know which route applies, rather than assuming.
Can you guarantee approval?
No one can, because the decision rests with the local authority. What we can do is reduce risk by designing to policy, engaging early and presenting a well-prepared case.
How long does an application take?
It varies with the type of scheme and the council. Straightforward applications are often decided in a matter of weeks, while larger or more complex ones take longer. We give you a realistic expectation up front.
What if the application is refused?
We review the reasons with you and advise on the options, which may include revising the scheme or appealing. The earlier work often makes that conversation much easier.
Next step
Talk through your site
Tell us where it is and what you would like to do. We will say how we would approach planning.