Editorially checkedVisible ownership, review date and official-source context for this page.
Written by Sam JonesReviewed by UK Planning Guide Editorial Review DeskLast reviewed 11 April 2026Official-source context National planning baseline, local authority context and page-specific tripwires.Verify before spending Stop and verify when the proposal is close to a limit, affected by special controls or expensive to get wrong.
Planning help

Get A Clearer Planning Next Step Without A Noisy Quote Funnel

UK Planning Guide is building a careful network of planning, design and home-improvement professionals. The first step is still guidance: use the free route check to understand whether your project may involve permitted development, planning permission, council approval or professional review.

Updated May 2026
Honest service status

Professional Help May Be Available, But It Is Not Guaranteed

UK Planning Guide may be able to connect you with a suitable planning, design or home-improvement professional if one is available for your project type and location. This is not an instant matching promise, an approved-professionals claim or a guarantee that a professional will be introduced.

Best starting point

Use The Route Check Before You Ask For Help

Useful without contact details

The route check gives an instant result on the page. You do not need to submit your name, email or phone to get the guidance.

Optional enquiry only

If the result suggests the project is restricted, formal or professionally sensitive, you can choose whether to request help afterwards.

Consent stays separate

Contact and sharing consent are shown as separate unticked choices. Details are only shared where you have asked for that.

Trust and method

What This Help Route Is For

Rules vary by location

Planning routes can change by council area, property history, designations and the exact proposal. Use this page as a structured guide to the next check, not as a blanket approval.

What this page is for

To help homeowners move from broad planning guidance into the right next step without making inflated promises about professional matching.

What it does not replace

It does not replace a council decision, a lawful development certificate, legal advice or formal professional input where those are needed.

How the guidance is built

The flow starts with a static route check, then allows an optional enquiry only if the user wants help checking the result properly.

When to stop relying on broad guidance

Verify formally where the property is listed, in a conservation area, affected by Article 4, close to a threshold, or already facing refusal or enforcement issues.

Safest formal next step

Use the route check first. If suitable help is not available, use the result to speak directly to the council, gather project evidence or choose independent advice.

Official-source check

Where this page shows official sources, use those links near the relevant answer to confirm the latest council or national wording before relying on a borderline route.

Continue your research

Pick Up Where You Left Off