Services / Planning permission
Planning permission
We prepare and submit your application, deal with the planning officer, and keep you informed until there's a decision.
- FreeInitial consultationA conversation about your project, and a first view of what's possible, before any fee is agreed.
- FixedFee for each stageEvery stage is priced in writing before it starts. No hourly billing.
- 3DSee the design firstYour design is shown in 3D before it's submitted, while changes are still easy.
- FreeResubmissionIf planning is refused, we revise and resubmit at no extra design fee. Conditions
What we draw
Householder planning application
For extensions, lofts and alterations that need permission.
Lawful development certificate
Proof that work is permitted development, which buyers' solicitors will ask for. See lawful development certificates.
Pre-application advice
An early view from the council on bigger or sensitive schemes. See pre-application advice.
Planning appeals
If an application is refused, we can prepare and manage an appeal. See planning appeals.
Dropped kerbs and vehicle crossovers
A new driveway access needs the council's highways approval, and sometimes planning permission too.
Planning committee support
If your application goes to the planning committee, we prepare your case and can speak for you where the council allows.
Outline and reserved matters
Outline permission to establish the principle of development, followed by reserved matters applications for the details.
Planning drawings
What's included
Extensions, loft conversions, porches and outbuildings that need planning permission or a lawful development certificate.
- Free initial consultation
- Measured survey of your home
- Existing plans and elevations
- Proposed design in 3D, with up to two rounds of changes
- Application prepared, submitted and managed to a decision
- Free resubmission if refused (conditions apply)
Before you start
What we need, and what sits outside our fee
- From you: the property address, a few photos, and any existing drawings, planning approvals or surveys you have. We arrange the measured survey with you.
- Not in our fee: council planning and building control fees, and specialist reports a council asks for, such as a tree survey or flood risk assessment, unless your fee proposal lists them.
- Your fee proposal sets out exactly what is included for your project before any work starts.
Timescales
How long it takes
We give you a timetable for our drawings in your fee proposal. Council and building control timings are the statutory or target periods and start once an application is validated.
- Householder or minor application
- Target of 8 weeks after validation
- Major application
- Target of 13 weeks
- Lawful development certificate
- Councils aim to decide within 8 weeks
- Pre-application advice
- Varies by council; we tell you the current wait
- Householder appeal
- Must be lodged within 12 weeks of the refusal
Projects
Planning permission we have designed
Common questions
What does the council charge?
Council application fees are set nationally and paid separately from our fee. We tell you the exact figure in your quote.
What if my application is refused?
We explain the reasons and advise on the best route. If we designed and submitted the application, we revise and resubmit it at no extra design fee, provided it's substantially the same proposal and resubmitted within 12 months. If an appeal is the better route, we'll say so and agree the fee first.
Other services
- Free planning check
- House extensions
- Loft conversions
- Upward extensions
- Renovations and internal alterations
- Basement conversions
- Lawful development certificates
- Pre-application advice
- Building regulations drawings
- Building control applications
- Structural calculations
- Structural surveys and letters of comfort
- Flat conversions
- Lease plans and licence to alter
- Change of use
- New builds
- Interior design
- 3D visualisation
- Energy and retrofit
- Energy Performance Certificates (EPC)
- Accessible home adaptations
- Commercial fit-outs and shopfronts
- Design consultations
- Party wall surveys
- Build over agreements and drainage
- Planning reports and statements
- Amendments, conditions and regularisation
- Planning appeals
- Conservation areas and listed buildings
- Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)
- HMO planning and licensing
- Feasibility and site checks
- Measured surveys
- Building surveys
- Drawing reviews and second opinions
- Location and block plans
- Tender and construction support
- Principal designer (CDM and building regulations)
- Cost management
- Project management
- Contract administration
- Design and build
- Turnkey projects
- Landscape design
Where we work
Planning permission across London
Local planning points for the boroughs closest to our Cricklewood studio: Ealing, Harrow, Brent, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Haringey, Enfield, Barnet, Camden, Westminster, Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea. See all 33 boroughs.