An important part of our service is helping you plan and prepare for the project you have in mind. Additionally, you will need to make sure you have Planning Permission or Permitted Development Rights.

The key to successful Planning Applications is in the preparation. Not only do you need detailed drawings and specifications, you also need to understand local planning policies and how they are applied.

At Solent Architecture we are well versed in the way different planning authorities operate across the south of England. We have a 98% success rate with applications submitted on behalf of our clients.

Local planning authorities must work within their own planning policy, which will also take into account listed buildings, tree preservation orders and the like. They must pay regard to what is permitted within Conservation Areas, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), National Parks and Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSIs).

Our architectural practice will help you navigate through the Planning system, significantly increasing your chances of a successful outcome.

Substantial building projects, such as a new-build house or a development of several, will always need Planning Permission. You’ll probably also need Planning Permission when you make major alterations to a property, or if you change its use.

However, not all changes to your home will need formal Planning Permission. Some projects come within Permitted Development Rights, which means you can go ahead without going through the full Planning Application process.

With Permitted Development, it is still worthwhile making sure that what you intend to do really does come within the definition, so some paperwork is still required to get that fact confirmed.

Permitted Development Rights are designed to allow people to improve their homes with the minimum of bureaucracy. In most cases, Permitted Development Rights apply to houses built before 1948, so it pays to do your homework before assuming you will qualify.

If your property meets the definition, work such as home extensions and loft conversions are included so long as they are within specific size limits. For example, for a detached house, a rear ground floor extension will probably qualify if it is no more than 8m in length. For semi-detached or terraced properties this limit will usually be 6m.

It is important to note, though, that there can be numerous qualifications. It really is worth getting professional advice to help you seek further confirmation from your planning authority.

For example, if your property falls within a designated area, then permitted development rights are more restricted. A designated area usually means one of the following:

- a Conservation area,

- a National Park,

- an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,

- a World Heritage Site.

Commercial properties have different Permitted Development Rights to residential ones, and we can advise as to what permission you may need.

If you want the local planning authority’s agreement that your works are within your Permitted Development Rights, you can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate. There is a fee payable, but it is less than that for a full Planning Application.

A Lawful Development Certificate is not essential but it is definitely advisable. Having one will prove that when the work was done it was lawful and that Planning Permission wasn’t required. This will be very useful in the future, especially when you come to sell your property.

Solent Architecture will be happy to advise you and help draw up your application for Planning Permission, so do talk to us about what you have in mind.

You can also find out a lot by checking on gov.uk and on the Planning Portal. However, do note that the information and guidance available is either fairly general or very technical. It’s easy to go astray and it is easy to overlook the requirements particular to your own Local Planning Authority (LPA).

Taking professional advice is almost always the most cost-effective choice and will ensure a smoother and quicker route to achieving the results you want.

Some LPAs provide a pre-application advice service at a fee. Using it does not mean your application will automatically succeed, but it will help you understand important criteria for success – again, this will be better value if you are supported by an expert in the planning process and we are happy to provide this service.