
All your questions answered
Start your projectFrequently Asked Questions
The architectural world is an exciting place but we understand for many there are a whole host of questions that need to be answered before a project can be underway. We have taken some of the most frequently asked and important questions and given our answers below. If you have any other questions or feel ready to get the ball rolling following a peruse through this section, then please get in touch with us.
Talk to us directlyPlanning Permission
Permitted Development
Building regulations
Timeline
Planning Permission
What types of planning applications are there?
- Householders Planning Consent
- Full Planning Consent
- Outline Planning Consent
- Reserved Matters Application
- Listed Building Consent
- Lawful Development Certificate (LDC)
Householders planning consent
- Householders Planning Consent
- Full Planning Consent
- Outline Planning Consent
- Reserved Matters Application
- Listed Building Consent
- Lawful Development Certificate (LDC)
Full planning consent
- Any works relating to a flat or flats
- Applications to change the number of dwellings (e.g. flat conversions / building a separate house in the garden)
- Changes of use to part or all of the property to non-residential (including business) uses
- Anything outside the garden of the property (including stables if in a separate paddock)
Outlining planning consent
- An extension beyond the plane of the existing roof slope of the principal elevation that fronts a highway is NOT permitted development.
- Materials are to be similar to that of the existing house.
- No part of any loft extension is to be higher than the highest part of the existing roof.
- Verandas, balconies or raised platforms at NOT permitted development.
- Any side-facing vertical windows must be obscure glazed and non-opening unless the openable parts are more than 1.7m above the floor level of the room in which it is installed.
- Extensions to the roof, apart from hip to gables, are to be set back a min 200mm from the original eaves, as measured along the roof plane.
Reserved matters application
Lawful development certificate (LDC)
Listed building consent
- You want to alter or extend a listed building in a manner which would affect its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest
- You want to demolish all or part of a listed building
How much does a planning application cost?
How long does it take to get a decision on an application?
How long does it take to get a decision on an application?
Permitted Development
What is permitted development?
- Conservation Area
- National Park
- An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
- A World Heritage Site or
- The Norfolk or Suffolk Broads,
Single storey extensions
- On designated land* cladding of any part of the exterior of a dwelling (and extensions) with stone, artificial stone, pebble dash, render, timber, plastic or tiles is not permitted development. *National parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, conservation areas etc.
- Extensions (including previous extensions) and other buildings must not exceed 50% of the total area of land around the original house. The term ‘original house’ means the house as it was first built or as it stood on 1 July 1948 (if it was built before that date).* Sheds and other outbuildings must be included when calculating the above 50% limit.
- Extensions forward of the principal elevation or side elevation of a house and fronting a highway are NOT permitted development.
- On designated land side extensions are not permitted development.
- Materials used in exterior work to be similar in appearance to those of the exterior of the existing house (except a conservatory).
- Width of side extension must not have a width greater than half the width of the original house.
- Side extensions are to be single storey with a maximum height of four metres.
- If the extension is within two metres of a boundary, the maximum eaves height should be no higher than three metres to be permitted development.
- A single storey rear extension must not extend beyond the rear of the original house by more than 3m if an attached house or by 4m if a detached house.
- A single storey rear extension must not exceed a height of four metres.
- The maximum eaves and ridge height of the extension are to be no higher than existing house.
Double storey extensions
- On designated land* extensions of more than one storey are not permitted development. *Designated land includes national parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, conservation areas and World Heritage Sites.
- Extensions (including previous extensions) and other buildings must not exceed 50% of the total area of land around the original house. The term ‘original house’ means the house as it was first built or as it stood on 1 July 1948 (if it was built before that date). *Sheds and other outbuildings must be included when calculating the above 50% limit.
- Maximum eaves and ridge height of extension no higher than existing house. If extension is within two metres of a boundary maximum eaves height should be no higher than three metres to be permitted development.
- Extensions of more than one storey must not extend beyond the rear wall of original house by more than three metres or be within seven metres of any boundary opposite the rear wall of the house.
- Roof pitch of extensions higher than one storey to match that of the existing house, as far as is practicable.
- Materials used in exterior work to be similar in appearance to those of the exterior of the existing house.
- Any upper-floor window in a wall or roof slope in a side elevation must be obscure-glazed and non-opening unless the parts which can be opened are more than 1.7 metres above the floor of the room in which it is installed.
- No balconies or verandas are permitted development.
Loft conversions
- Loft extensions are NOT permitted development for houses on designated land.
- To be permitted development any additional roof space created by a roof extension must not exceed these volume allowances: 40m³ for terraced houses 50m³ for detached and semi-detached houses *Any existing extended spaces must be included within this.
- An extension beyond the plane of the existing roof slope of the principal elevation that fronts a highway is NOT permitted development.
- Materials are to be similar to that of the existing house.
- No part of any loft extension is to be higher than the highest part of the existing roof.
- Verandas, balconies or raised platforms at NOT permitted development.
- Any side-facing vertical windows must be obscure glazed and non-opening unless the openable parts are more than 1.7m above the floor level of the room in which it is installed.
- Extensions to the roof, apart from hip to gables, are to be set back a min 200mm from the original eaves, as measured along the roof plane.
Outbuildings
- On designated land* outbuildings to the side of the house are not permitted development.* Designated land includes national parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, conservation areas etc.
- Outbuildings are not permitted development within the grounds of a listed building.
- In national parks or Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty the total area to be covered by any outbuildings more than 20 metres from ANY WALL of the house must not exceed 10 square metres. Outwith these areas, outbuildings can be any square meterage providing they still adhere to these conditions in all respects.
- Outbuildings are not permitted development forward of the principal elevation of the original house.
- Outbuildings and other additions must not exceed 50% of the total area of land around the original house. Sheds, other outbuildings & extensions to the original house must be included when calculating this 50% limit.
- Any new building must not itself be separate, self-contained, living accommodation.
- Outbuildings must be single storey with a maximum eaves height of 2.5 metres and maximum overall height of 4 metres with a dual pitched roof, or 3 metres in any other case.
- If the outbuilding is within 2 metres of the boundary, it should not exceed 2.5 metres in height.
- Balconies and verandas are not permitted development. Raised platforms such as decking are permitted development provided they are no higher than 300mm.
- Containers, such as those used for domestic heating purposes, must not exceed 3,500 litres capacity to be permitted development. The other permitted development conditions which apply to outbuildings listed above also apply to containers.
Porches
- Ground area of the porch, measured externally must not to exceed three square metres.
- Highest part of the porch not to exceed three metres.
- No part of the porch to be within two metres of any boundary that fronts a highway.
Where can I find out more?
Disclaimer
Building regulations
What are ‘building regulations’?
What type of approval do I need?
Full Plans Application
- Builders are able to quote much more accurately for your project as they can see a lot more detail and full spec on the drawings. This helps stop a figure being plucked from the air and unforeseen costs arising at a later stage.
- Any potential issues or critical points are much less likely to come up as they are already worked out within the detailed drawings allowing for a more simple build, saving both time and as a result, money.
- You will be required to pay an architectural consultant/ designer to produce the required detailed drawings. (It should be highlighted that although this is an additional initial expense, more often than not this fee is gained back many times over due to the builder having detailed drawing to work from and potential issues already worked out. New Space Architecture Limited highly recommends the Full Plans route for most projects).
- Work cannot commence immediately – the checking and approval process takes 3-5 weeks.
Buildings Notice
- Work can begin very quickly
- Architectural/ construction drawings may not be required
- A building notice application leaves the client at risk that completed works might not be approved, resulting in remedial costs. Clients should be certain that their builder is familiar with all the relevant regulations before deciding to follow this route. It is also worth considering that proceeding without a full set of agreed drawings is more likely to result in oversights by the builder, unexpected costs and disputes.
- Application fees for a building notice may also be more expensive than a full plans application due to the greater number of inspections.
How does the application process work?
What timescales are involved?
How does the inspection process work?
What is a completion certificate?
When is building regulations approval not required?
What if I have undertaken works without necessary building regulation approval?
Timeline
Initial Meeting
Survey
Sketches
Planning
Building Regulations
Project Commences

What we can offer
For each and every project that we undertake our service and commitment is always to you, the client. From bespoke design to detailed building regulations and construction drawings, our creative design team will take you through the entire architectural process, ensuring the highest quality of design is achieved as well as all necessary permissions and consents.
Our ServicesFree Consultation
A free service covering all types of architectural advice.
Timeline
Discover your project Timeline with us today.
Architectural Design
From topographical surveys to floor plans, your design is our expertise.
Planning Consultancy
We can eliminate any uncertainty surrounding Planning Consultancy.
Building Regulations
Expertise in helping you secure Building Regulation approval.
3D Rendering & Virtual Reality
Bring your concept to life with 3D Rendering and Virtual Reality.