Planning Permission Questions, Answered Clearly
Use the FAQ library for process questions, local restriction questions and the planning issues that usually block projects before they start.
Use The FAQ Library In The Order That Saves You Time
Pick The Right Route Faster
Use FAQ when
Your question is about process, timing, permissions, restrictions or verification rather than one exact build type.
Use project guides when
You already know the build type and need the practical rule set for that project.
Use local authority pages when
A council, conservation area, listed building or Article 4 direction may change the answer.
When The FAQ Library Is The Right Starting Point And When It Is Not
Best starting point when
- You need a fast answer on process, evidence, permissions, restrictions or planning definitions.
- The question is still broad enough that opening a project page first would be guesswork.
- You want a short answer before choosing a more detailed page.
Go elsewhere first when
- You already know the exact project type and need a local rule-led answer.
- One council, conservation area, listed building or Article 4 issue is clearly the blocker.
- You need a route decision for a live scheme rather than a process explainer.
What usually settles it faster
- Open the strongest FAQ category below if the issue is still conceptual.
- Move to the planning tool or project guide if the question is already site-led.
- Use the local authority layer when local controls are the real source of uncertainty.
Starting a Project
Do I Need Planning Permission?
Start here when you need the quickest route to the right planning answer before you spend time or money on design work.
Read answerPlanning Permission Vs Building Regulations
Read this when you need to separate planning control from construction standards before a project gets underway.
Read answerApplications and Process
When A Lawful Development Certificate Is Worth It
Read this when a project may be permitted development but you want written proof before building, selling or refinancing.
Read answerHow Long Does Planning Permission Usually Take?
Use this page when timing matters for drawings, contractors, a move or a sale and you need a more realistic view of the planning process.
Read answerPlanning Permission Vs Permitted Development: Which Route Applies?
Use this page when the real question is whether the project still sits inside the simpler permitted development route or has crossed into planning permission territory.
Read answerLawful Development Certificate Vs Planning Permission: Which One?
Use this page when the design may be lawful without planning permission but you need to know whether formal proof or a full application is the smarter next step.
Read answerPrior Approval Vs Planning Permission
Use this page when the project may not fit a simple yes-or-no planning answer and you need to understand whether the next step is prior approval, a full application or something else.
Read answerWhat Drawings Do I Need For Planning Permission?
Use this page when you are moving from a rough idea into an application or certificate pack and need to know what information usually matters first.
Read answerCan Neighbours Stop Planning Permission?
Use this page when neighbour comments or likely objections are shaping how risky a planning application feels.
Read answerIs Pre-Application Advice Worth It?
Use this page when a project feels risky, sensitive or expensive enough that you are wondering whether early council feedback could save time later.
Read answerWhat Happens After Planning Permission Is Approved?
Use this page when permission has been granted and you need to know what still needs checking before work begins or contracts are signed.
Read answerWhat Happens If Planning Permission Is Refused?
Use this page when a refusal has landed or feels likely and you need to decide whether to redesign, appeal or step back before spending more money.
Read answerSpecial Restrictions
Planning Rules In Conservation Areas
Use this page when heritage character or streetscape sensitivity may change the normal planning answer.
Read answerWhen Listed Building Consent Is Needed
Read this when the property is listed or attached to a listed building and the normal planning shortcuts may no longer apply.
Read answerArticle 4 Directions Explained
Read this when the project may have looked like permitted development until local planning control entered the picture.
Read answerProject Design
Outbuilding Height Rules: Boundary Limits And Planning Permission
Use this page when a garden room, shed, garage or other outbuilding is near a boundary and the height rules may decide whether the route stays simple.
Read answerExtension Depth Rules: Rear Extension Limits And Planning Permission
Read this when an extension proposal is growing in size and you need to understand when depth becomes the planning problem rather than just another design detail.
Read answerMeasurement and Definitions
What Counts As The Original House?
Use this page when site history, old extensions or previous alterations may be changing what is still allowed under the simpler planning route.
Read answerHow To Measure Height For Planning Permission
Use this page when the design looks close to a height limit and the measurement method may decide whether the route stays simple or becomes more formal.
Read answerHow To Measure Distance From Boundary
Use this page when a project is close to a boundary and the route may depend on exactly where that relationship is measured from.
Read answerProperty Value and ROI
Does An Extension Add Value To A House?
Use this page when the real question is not just whether an extension is possible, but whether the likely value uplift justifies taking the project further.
Read answerHow Much Value Does A Rear Extension Usually Add?
Read this when a rear extension is the live project and you want a more realistic sense of how value added usually works before spending on drawings or construction.
Read answerHow Much Value Does A Loft Conversion Usually Add?
Use this page when the loft conversion value question is really about added bedrooms, upper-floor space and whether the likely uplift still makes sense once planning and build complexity are factored in.
Read answerHow Much Value Does A Two Storey Extension Usually Add?
Read this when the likely upside from a two storey extension needs to be weighed against higher planning sensitivity, build cost and over-improvement risk.
Read answerExtension Cost Vs Value Added
Use this page when the real decision is not whether an extension adds value in theory, but whether the likely uplift is strong enough to justify the cost and planning effort.
Read answerDoes Planning Permission Affect Property Value?
Use this page when the project may add value in theory, but the planning route still feels like the factor most likely to change how real that upside actually is.
Read answerHow Much Value Does A Side Extension Usually Add?
Use this page when the live idea is a side extension and you want a more realistic sense of likely value uplift before treating the extra space as an automatic win.
Read answerHow Much Value Does A Wraparound Extension Usually Add?
Read this when a wraparound extension is appealing because it could transform the house, but you want a more honest view of whether the likely uplift justifies the size, cost and planning complexity.
Read answerWhich Extension Adds The Most Value?
Use this page when you are comparing extension routes rather than pricing one fixed design and want a more realistic view of which kinds of projects usually create the strongest upside.
Read answerDoes An Extra Bedroom Add Value?
Use this page when the project value story depends mainly on whether creating another bedroom is likely to change the house enough for buyers to pay more.
Read answerIs A Loft Conversion Worth It?
Read this when the loft idea looks attractive, but the real decision is whether the likely bedroom gain, cost and planning route make it worthwhile overall.
Read answerUseful Next Steps
Planning Tools
Use the tools to get a quick planning steer before you read deeper guidance.
Open pageExtension value estimator
Estimate likely property value uplift from extension-led projects before relying on rough rules of thumb.
Open pageLocal Authorities
Browse councils when the local planning authority is the main source of uncertainty.
Open page