T h e P l a n n i n g P r o c e s s
Bringing Your Project Smoothly Through the Planning Process
We provide a full planning consultancy service and have an excellent track record with domestic applications, dealing with all the common issues, including permitted development rights, conservation areas and listed buildings.
We have experience in dealing with many of London’s planning authorities and our success rate with them means that we are often brought in to undertake planning appeals for clients whose projects have previously had their applications turned down.
To ensure that your requirements comply with council design standards and planning policies we carry out extensive research on other similar approved extensions within your street and the wider borough area.
At Design Solutions we want to avoid the dissappointment of having an application refused so we offer sound advice on planning matters before submitting any application.
Planning permission is gained by submitting architects drawings to the local council and usually takes around 8 weeks to gain which we will monitor throughout.
Do I Need Planning Permission:
Planning Permission Timeline
Design Solutions specializes in residential design and planning application process. We provide a full planning package which includes designing the space, preparing the CAD drawings, preparing and submitting the local authority planning application on your behalf and tracking it until we get the final outcome. If you plan to make changes to your house by maybe having an extension, loft conversion or any other type space modification done then we can help you.
If you contact us regarding preparing drawings and submitting a planning application then the process will involve the following 3 steps:
1. Free Initial Consultation
We will have a no problem meeting with you (usually at your property) to assess your design requirements and give you an indication of any planning issues and a better idea of the costs involved. It is often best to do this as better advice can be given to you on the feasibility of your project and possibly discover any potential difficulties that may be experienced along the way. We may even suggest alternative ideas for you to review.
Upon your request, we will then send you a formal written fee quotation detailing the work and the corresponding costs. At this stage we will also advise you of any extra third party expertise your project may require. Possible third party reports and consultants:
- Party Wall Surveyor
- Structural Engineer
- Traffic & Transportation Report
- Flood Risk Assessments
- Arboricultural Report
- Construction Method Statements
If you decide to proceed with your home extension/improvement project we will undertake a measured survey and produce the necessary drawings in readiness for a planning application. We undertake a property site assessment by looking into the history and context of the site and its surroundings. We research the local planning authority to establish what property uses have been proposed, accepted and refused in the past.
2. Design & Planning
After you agree to proceed with Design Solutions, a full measured survey of your property will be carried which will include all the relevant floor areas, elevations and site boundaries. We will then design the extension and space accordingly to your breif preparing proposed plans and other related drawings. Usually within 2 weeks we will send the first draft of the drawings to the client before finalising them so that any minor changes can be incorporated and contain everything that may be required for a particular project to be successfully passed.
For most projects the drawings comprise of:
- All existing drawings relevant to the project (Floor Plans, elevations, sections, site plans).
- All proposed drawings relevant to the project (Floor Plans, elevations, sections, site plans).
- A detailed Planning Statement/ Design and Access Statement/ Heritage Report (if required).
- Flood Risk Assessment.
- Aerial/ Photo Survey and an Ordnance Survey Map.
- Application forms, Notification letters, CIL Questions.
3. Planning Application Submission
We then prepare the planning application and submit to the relevant council on your behalf online via the Planning Portal.
All the planning documents are prepared taking into account the adopted Local Development Plan (LDF), SPG's and SPD's, National Policies (NPPF) and the London Plan. Once everything is finalized and approved by the client, the application will be submitted to the local council for planning approval. We will track and monitor your application and liaise with the local authority planning officer until we get a successful outcome for the application although we cannot always guarantee that planning permission will be granted and sometimes amendments maybe required to secure your planning permission which will be undertaken free of charge unless otherwise agreed.
Please note that Design Solutions Ltd will act as the clients agent on all planning applications unless otherwise agreed with the client. Design Solutions Ltd cannot guarantee that planning permission will be granted.
Once planning permission has been granted, the CAD drawings are configured and adjusted to provide building regulations and detailed/technical drawings for building control approval.
Planning Application Fee Guide: