Practical planning help for real decisions
Check The Planning Route Before You Pay For The Wrong Next Step
Use project guides, local authority context, topic hubs and planning tools to work out the likely route, the local tripwires and the safest next check before drawings, quotes or applications start to cost real money.
What makes it useful
It is built to shorten the route from a vague planning search to the one project guide, local authority page or tool that actually settles the next decision.
Why it feels safer
The guidance keeps separating the national baseline from the local layer, then tells you clearly when to stop reading and verify formally.
Why it stays practical
28 project guides, 307 local authority paths and 17 tools are organised to keep the next step obvious rather than dumping you into another broad directory.
Top Journeys In The First 30 Seconds
If you are not sure where to begin, choose the path that matches the uncertainty you actually have.
1. Find Your Project
Start with the build type you are actually planning, from extensions and lofts to driveways and dropped kerbs.
Browse project guides2. Use A Quick Tool
Sense-check whether you may need planning permission before you spend time on drawings or applications.
Open tools3. Learn The Rule That Matters
Jump straight into height, boundary, conservation area or Article 4 guidance when the project type is not the main issue.
Browse topic hubs4. Check The Local Authority Layer
Use the councils section when you need to see how local restrictions and council context change the baseline answer.
Browse councilsUse The Tools As A Fast Triage Layer, Not As Isolated Calculators
The tool layer works best when you want a quick route decision before you commit to deeper reading. It is there to tell you whether the project still looks routine, whether the local layer is becoming important and what to open next.
- Good for early-stage decisions before you pay for drawings.
- Good for spotting when conservation areas, Article 4 or listed buildings may change the route.
- Best followed by the matching project guide, rule page and local authority layer.
Do I Need Planning Permission?
Work through a structured project check to see whether the scheme looks likely permitted development, may need planning permission, or depends on local constraints.
Open toolWhat Can I Build? Explorer
Explore the home project types that are most likely to fit your property before you dive into detailed planning checks.
Open toolExtension Value Estimator
Estimate likely property value uplift from extension-led projects using project type, size, finish level and planning confidence.
Open toolWant A More Tailored Steer Before You Spend Money?
For projects that feel borderline, location-sensitive or awkwardly specific, the site now has an email-first next step. Send over the facts of your case and get a practical plain-English steer on the likely route, what may change it locally and what to verify next.
Best for
Projects that feel too specific for a broad guide yet too early for formal submissions or a full professional appointment.
What the reply aims to do
The reply aims to give a practical informational steer on the likely route, the local or site details most likely to change it, and the safest next move when certainty matters.
What to include
Property type, council area, location, the change you want to make, approximate dimensions, relevant heritage or flat-related details, previous additions and the main concern.
Important: Replies are informational personalised guidance based on the details you provide and publicly available information. They are not formal legal, architectural, surveying or council advice. Site-specific or borderline cases may still need checking with the local authority or a qualified specialist before drawings, applications or contractor spend move ahead.
Your enquiry details are used to respond to your request. Anonymised themes may be used to improve guides, tools, FAQs and site content. Identifiable case details are not published without permission, and sending an enquiry does not sign you up to marketing emails. Privacy notice.
Start With The Build Type You Are Actually Planning
These guides work best when the main question is the project itself rather than one narrow planning topic.
Dormer Extension Planning Permission
Permitted development rules, volume limits and local planning restrictions for dormer extensions.
Check extension rulesDriveway Planning Permission
Permitted development rules and planning restrictions for creating or replacing driveways and front garden parking.
Open guideGarage Conversion Planning Permission
Permitted development rules and local planning restrictions for converting garages into living space.
Check garage rulesGarage Planning Permission
Planning permission rules, permitted development limits and local restrictions for detached garages and standalone domestic garages.
Check garage rulesGarden Room Planning Permission
Permitted development rules, height limits and local restrictions for garden rooms and outbuildings.
Check garden room rulesHeat Pump Planning Permission
Planning permission rules, permitted development checks and local restrictions for air source heat pumps and similar domestic units.
Open guideCurated Local Guides Worth Opening Next
These guides work best once the project is already clear and you need to see whether local restrictions, authority context or a nearby comparison changes the safer route.
Dormer Extension in Barking and Dagenham
See the usual national baseline, the local planning angle and the rule pages people normally need next.
View local guideDormer Extension in Croydon
See the usual national baseline, the local planning angle and the rule pages people normally need next.
View local guideDormer Extension in Aberdeen City
See the usual national baseline, the local planning angle and the rule pages people normally need next.
View local guideDormer Extension in City of Edinburgh
See the usual national baseline, the local planning angle and the rule pages people normally need next.
View local guideDormer Extension in Dundee City
See the usual national baseline, the local planning angle and the rule pages people normally need next.
View local guideDormer Extension in Glasgow City
See the usual national baseline, the local planning angle and the rule pages people normally need next.
View local guideDormer Extension in Guildford
See the usual national baseline, the local planning angle and the rule pages people normally need next.
View local guideDormer Extension in Cardiff
See the usual national baseline, the local planning angle and the rule pages people normally need next.
View local guideDormer Extension in Newport
See the usual national baseline, the local planning angle and the rule pages people normally need next.
View local guidePlanning Topics Worth Opening Before You Over-Read The Wrong Guide
These pages help when the real issue is height, boundaries, permitted development, conservation areas or another rule that cuts across multiple project types.
Planning Permission
Open the rule hub when one planning issue is the blocker and you do not need a full project guide first.
Open topic hubPermitted Development
Open the rule hub when one planning issue is the blocker and you do not need a full project guide first.
Open topic hubHeight Limits
Open the rule hub when one planning issue is the blocker and you do not need a full project guide first.
Open topic hubDepth Limits
Open the rule hub when one planning issue is the blocker and you do not need a full project guide first.
Open topic hubBoundary Rules
Open the rule hub when one planning issue is the blocker and you do not need a full project guide first.
Open topic hubConservation Areas
Open the rule hub when one planning issue is the blocker and you do not need a full project guide first.
Open topic hubCompare Planning Authorities Without Falling Into A Directory Maze
Area and council pages exist to answer the local question cleanly: does this authority context make the usual national answer less reliable?
Bedfordshire
Browse 3 authority areas in Bedfordshire and see whether local policy, conservation areas or Article 4 make the usual answer less reliable. Includes Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, Luton.
Browse area and councilsBerkshire
Browse 6 authority areas in Berkshire and see whether local policy, conservation areas or Article 4 make the usual answer less reliable. Includes Bracknell Forest, Reading, Slough.
Browse area and councilsBuckinghamshire
Browse 2 authority areas in Buckinghamshire and see whether local policy, conservation areas or Article 4 make the usual answer less reliable. Includes Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes.
Browse area and councilsCambridgeshire
Browse 6 authority areas in Cambridgeshire and see whether local policy, conservation areas or Article 4 make the usual answer less reliable. Includes Cambridge, East Cambridgeshire, Fenland.
Browse area and councilsCornwall
Browse 2 authority areas in Cornwall and see whether local policy, conservation areas or Article 4 make the usual answer less reliable. Includes Cornwall, Isles of Scilly.
Browse area and councilsCounty Durham
Browse 2 authority areas in County Durham and see whether local policy, conservation areas or Article 4 make the usual answer less reliable. Includes Durham, Darlington.
Browse area and councilsCumbria
Browse 2 authority areas in Cumbria and see whether local policy, conservation areas or Article 4 make the usual answer less reliable. Includes Cumberland, Westmorland and Furness.
Browse area and councilsDerbyshire
Browse 9 authority areas in Derbyshire and see whether local policy, conservation areas or Article 4 make the usual answer less reliable. Includes Amber Valley, Bolsover, Chesterfield.
Browse area and councilsPopular Local Authority Starting Points
Barking and Dagenham
Open the council overview, then jump into the local project page or topic guide that matches the issue you need to check.
View council guideCroydon
Open the council overview, then jump into the local project page or topic guide that matches the issue you need to check.
View council guideAberdeen City
Open the council overview, then jump into the local project page or topic guide that matches the issue you need to check.
View council guideCity of Edinburgh
Open the council overview, then jump into the local project page or topic guide that matches the issue you need to check.
View council guideDundee City
Open the council overview, then jump into the local project page or topic guide that matches the issue you need to check.
View council guideGlasgow City
Open the council overview, then jump into the local project page or topic guide that matches the issue you need to check.
View council guideLocal Topic Paths Most Likely To Recover Search Demand
These are the rule families most likely to bring users back into the site through the rebuilt council-level topic layer.
Planning Permission
Best when the route question is still the main blocker. Start with the hub, then compare a local example path like planning-permission/wandsworth.
Open topic hubPermitted Development
Useful when the shortcut route is still plausible but local context matters. Start with the hub, then compare a local example path like permitted-development/sevenoaks.
Open topic hubHeight Limits
Good for schemes where one dimension may be doing most of the damage. Start with the hub, then compare a local example path like height-limits/windsor-and-maidenhead.
Open topic hubBoundary Rules
Useful when neighbour relationship and siting are the live issue. Start with the hub, then compare a local example path like boundary-rules/dacorum.
Open topic hubConservation Areas
Strong when heritage context may be changing a normally simple route. Start with the hub, then compare a local example path like conservation-areas/wandsworth.
Open topic hubPlanning Questions People Ask Before They Spend Money
These FAQ pages are best when the uncertainty is about process, permissions, timing or verification rather than one exact build type.
Do I need planning permission?
Use this when you need the quickest route to the right planning check.
Read the answerHow long does planning permission take?
Useful for sequencing drawings, contractors and application timing.
Read the answerWhat extra rules apply in conservation areas?
Start here when heritage context or street character may affect the proposal.
Read the answerDo Article 4 directions remove permitted development rights?
Understand when local planning controls override the normal permitted development route.
Read the answerHow close can a structure be to a boundary?
Boundary position and height are often linked, especially for outbuildings and garden structures.
Read the answerWhat size extension can I build without permission?
A practical answer-first guide to extension depth and the limits that usually matter first.
Read the answerPlanning permission or permitted development?
Useful when the route sits between the simpler rights-based answer and a full application.
Read the answerLawful development certificate or planning permission?
Useful when the proposal may be lawful already but certainty still matters.
Read the answerWhat is the difference between prior approval and planning permission?
Useful when the route sounds more formal than permitted development but lighter than a full application.
Read the answerWhat drawings do I need for planning permission?
Useful when you want to prepare the right evidence before submitting or paying for the wrong package.
Read the answerCan neighbours stop planning permission?
Useful when neighbour objections are the part of the planning process worrying you most.
Read the answerIs pre-application advice worth it?
Useful when you need to decide whether early council feedback will save more time than it costs.
Read the answerWhat counts as the original house?
Useful when previous extensions or altered layouts may be changing the planning baseline.
Read the answerHow is height measured for planning permission?
Useful when the route may depend on whether the design really is as low as it appears on paper.
Read the answerWhat happens after planning permission is approved?
Useful when approval is in place but conditions, timing and next checks still need sorting out.
Read the answerWhat happens if planning permission is refused?
Useful when the next move after a refusal is not obvious yet.
Read the answerDoes an extension add value?
Useful when you want the value question answered before you overcommit to a design idea.
Read the answerIs an extension worth it financially?
Useful when you want a cost-versus-value reality check before treating the project as an obvious win.
Read the answerDoes planning permission affect property value?
Useful when planning certainty is part of the value question rather than a separate issue.
Read the answerWhich extension adds the most value?
Useful when you are comparing project types rather than just testing one design idea.
Read the answerDo garden rooms need planning permission?
Start here when the broad planning question is about a garden room rather than a full annexe or extension.
Read the answerDo extensions need planning permission?
Useful when the project is clearly an extension but the route is still broad.
Read the answerDo temporary buildings need planning permission?
Useful when the word temporary is being used as the main reason a structure might be easier.
Read the answerCan an agricultural building be permitted development?
Useful when the real question is whether the simpler agricultural route is even available.
Read the answerDo I need planning permission or highways approval for a dropped kerb?
Useful when access works are being blocked by confusion about which approval route applies.
Read the answerWhat To Do When The Answer Still Feels Borderline
The strongest next step depends on why the answer is still uncertain, not on which page you happened to land on first.
Project Guides
Users can return when a project changes from an idea into a measured design and the detail questions start to matter.
Rule Hubs
Topic hubs make it easier to isolate the one planning issue that is blocking progress, such as height, boundary position or Article 4 restrictions.
Local Authority Context
Council and local project pages help users sense-check whether the local layer changes the national baseline answer.
Trust And Method
The site explains what it knows, what still needs checking and when formal confirmation is the safer route.