Planning permission vs building regulations checklist
A simple worksheet for separating the planning route from building regulations approval before a project starts.
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Use This Before The Project Becomes Expensive
This resource is designed for early planning decisions. It helps you name the issue, record the obvious checks and avoid paying for drawings, applications or contractor commitments before the planning route is clear enough.
Good use
Print it, mark it up, save the source links and use it as a short agenda for a council, designer, consultant or builder conversation.
Not a decision
It is not a formal certificate, approval, legal opinion or replacement for checking the exact property, council and design.
Best next step
Use the planning decision tool when the checklist shows the route is still unclear or locally sensitive.
Work Through These First
- Decide whether the project changes use, size, appearance, access or protected features.
- Check the planning route first: permitted development, application, prior approval or certificate.
- Check building regulations separately, especially structure, fire safety, drainage, insulation and electrics.
- Record which professionals or bodies need to be contacted for each route.
Planning permission vs building regulations checklist
Tick these off on paper or copy the text into your project notes. Keep any official links, screenshots and dates with the project record.
Planning questions
- Does the project need planning permission, prior approval or a lawful development certificate?
- Could conservation area, listed building, Article 4 or highway controls change the answer?
- Do neighbours, design character or previous planning history create planning risk?
Building regulations questions
- Will structure, fire safety, drainage, insulation, ventilation or electrics be affected?
- Is the route local authority building control, approved inspector or competent person scheme?
- Will certificates be needed for sale, remortgage or future proof of compliance?
Things Worth Avoiding
- Assuming planning approval means the construction detail is approved.
- Assuming permitted development removes building regulations duties.
- Leaving building control until work is already under way.
- Using the same document list for two separate approval systems.
Questions To Put To The Council Or A Professional
- Which planning route applies, if any?
- Which building regulations parts are likely to be triggered?
- Who will issue the completion or compliance certificates?
Official Sources Worth Opening Next
Use these as starting points and then check the relevant council page for the property. Rules, validation requirements and local controls can change by authority and site.
Pair This Planning Checklist With The Technical Evidence Route
This download helps with the planning-side decision. BuildingRegsGuide covers the building-control conversation, inspection stages and certificate evidence to keep once the project moves toward work.
Planning permission vs building regulations
Use this when the two approval systems are being mixed together.
Open sister guideCompletion certificate evidence
What completion evidence is for and why it can matter later for sale, remortgage or proof.
Open sister guideClean Citation Text
Use this when sharing the resource with a neighbour, designer, builder or adviser.
General Guidance Only
This checklist separates common approval routes but does not replace council, building control or professional advice.
Before relying on a borderline route, confirm the latest position with official sources, the local planning authority or a suitable professional.