Plan-it Partnership
Which route does your project need?
Permitted development
Rights you already have. Many extensions, most lofts and nearly all garage conversions qualify. No application needed, though proof often is.
Lawful development certificate
The council's formal confirmation that your project is permitted development. Worth having for lofts and larger projects: it protects you when you sell, and costs half a full application fee.
Householder planning application
The full route, for projects outside permitted development. We design to local policy, prepare the drawings and forms, submit, and respond to the case officer.
Prior approval
The middle route for larger single-storey rear extensions: the council notifies your neighbours before confirming. Strict on paperwork; incomplete submissions are simply refused.
What "managed" actually means
Valid first time. Councils return incomplete applications rather than fixing them, and re-submission costs you weeks. We prepare to each council's validation checklist so the clock starts on the first attempt.
Designed to pass. We design with local policy and your neighbours in mind before submission, because the cheapest way through planning is an application the case officer can approve without amendments.
Handled to decision. We track the consultation period, answer the case officer's questions, and negotiate amendments if they're needed. You get told what's happening at each stage, in plain English.
After approval: most projects then need building-regulations drawings before a builder can price accurately. We usually prepare these while planning is with the council, so no time is lost.