Planning Tools For Faster First Answers
Use these tools to narrow the real planning question quickly, then move into project guides, topic hubs or local authority pages when the answer depends on design detail or local restrictions.
Choose The Tool That Matches The Doubt You Actually Have
Best starting point
Start with a tool when you need a fast first-pass answer before committing to deeper reading or local page comparisons.
What to do after the result
Move into the matching project guide, council page or rule hub rather than stopping at the tool output.
When to escalate
If the result feels borderline, assume the next step is more detailed checking, not more guesswork.
Available Tools
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 toolPermitted Development Calculator
Estimate whether a common home project may fit within permitted development rules.
Open toolPlanning Rejection Risk Analyzer
Analyse the main refusal risks for a home project, including scale, neighbour impact, design character and local policy constraints.
Open toolProject Requirements Generator
Build a practical planning prep pack covering requirements, documents and next checks for a home project.
Open toolSite Constraint Checker
Identify the planning constraint most likely to block progress, then jump to the right rule page or tool.
Open toolPlanning Route Planner
Map the approval route most likely to matter, including mixed routes such as planning, listed building or highway approvals.
Open toolHeight Limits Self-Check
Use a quick self-check for maximum height allowed questions before you read the full guidance.
Open toolDepth Limits Self-Check
Use a quick self-check for how far can i build out questions before you read the full guidance.
Open toolBoundary Distance Rules Self-Check
Use a quick self-check for distance from boundary questions before you read the full guidance.
Open toolConservation Area Restrictions Self-Check
Use a quick self-check for rules in conservation areas questions before you read the full guidance.
Open toolListed Building Restrictions Self-Check
Use a quick self-check for listed building consent questions before you read the full guidance.
Open toolArticle 4 Restrictions Self-Check
Use a quick self-check for article 4 direction questions before you read the full guidance.
Open toolMaximum Height Rules Self-Check
Use a quick self-check for maximum building height questions before you read the full guidance.
Open toolDistance From Boundary Self-Check
Use a quick self-check for distance from boundary rules questions before you read the full guidance.
Open toolRoof Alterations Self-Check
Use a quick self-check for roof changes planning permission questions before you read the full guidance.
Open toolBest Way To Use Them
- Start with a tool when you need a fast answer to the planning route question.
- Move to the project guide once you know what type of work you are really assessing.
- Check the local authority layer if the site may be in a conservation area, listed, or affected by Article 4 restrictions.