Planning Consent
Preparing, submitting and obtaining planning permission for your project, each time, every time.
Between designing a project and starting the build, planning permission must always be sought. Whether it’s a small, domestic project or a large-scale commercial build, the local authority must be involved from the outset. Failure to do this can leave the project dead in the water, while incorrect or incomplete applications will inevitably lead to delays and additional costs.
Erimus Architectural Design and Build provide a specialist planning service to ensure that your planning applications, and building regulations, are submitted correctly, completely and effectively. Introducing and involving the planner at the early stages gives you the greatest chance of success in our planning applications.
Liaises between all parties in a project
Prepares all aspects of a case to apply for planning consent
Comprehensive understanding of planning regulations
What is Planning Permission and Why is it Essential?
Planning permission is gaining the consent from your local authority to build, or plan to build, a new construction. It is used to prevent unlawful or inappropriate developments. It’s usually necessary to apply for planning permission when a new building is being proposed, or when there are considerable and extensive changes required to an existing building. Planning permission is one of the first major obstacles to be cleared when turning a piece of land into a viable building plot.
The decision whether to grant or refuse planning permission is made in line with national guidance (in the form of the National Planning Policy Framework), and the local authority’s planning policies.
Are there different types of planning permissions?
There are a few different types of planning permissions, and each will be determined dependent on the differing projects and builds. Most commonly they are:
- Full planning permission: This refers to consent to proceed with a project based on the provision of detailed designs. The project must be shown to meet all the planning conditions that are attached to the permission for approval to be valid. The local authority must formally discharge permissions by letter to enable work to start.
- Outline planning permission: This doesn’t include any specifics in the design, and is more of a ‘permission in principle,’ usually subject to more detailed plans. This method does not give permission or consent for work to start, but is used to explore whether or not the proposed works would be viable. An application for ‘reserved matters,’ which may include details such as the size of the proposed building, its, appearance, planned position and details on access, must be submitted and approved before any work can take place. In the event that the detailed plans alter significantly from the original outline, you’ll likely need to submit a full planning application.
- Householder planning permission: This is used to gain permission for a homeowner to alter or extend an individual house, but keeping within the boundary of the property.
keeping local residents and authorities onside
How Our Planners Work
Our planners at Erimus Architectural Design and Build assist with the planning applications and building regulations of the project. They seek planning advice, agree routes to building regulation and submit planning applications on your behalf.
Our planners work from the beginning of the process, so the know exactly what the scope of the project is from the very beginning. As we follow the RIBA stages of architecture, our planners will:
- Stage 0: Our planners make a strategical appraisal of planning considerations. This takes place after initial consultations have taken place and a client brief has been prepared.
- Stage 1: Here, our planners source the pre-planning advice in preparation for compiling the information needed to submit a planning application. This is after site information and surveys have been sourced.
- Stage 2: At this stage, we obtain the pre-planning advice and agree route to Building Regulations compliance. There is also an option at this stage to prepare and submit an outline Planning Application, but this is only done if the threshold of information required has been met.
- Stage 3: Reviewing the design against the building regulations is an important point in the project. This is to ensure the design on the construction meets, and does not exceed, the permitted regulations. We also prepare and submit the planning application.
- Stage 4: Once we agree that the design fits with the building regulations, we then submit the Building Regulations Application and discharge and pre-commencement planning conditions
The planners will then monitor the progress of the applications, keeping you informed every step of the way.
These steps are the core statutory processes that must be adhered to in order to maximise your chances of getting planning permission and building regulations approved.
Why Choose Us to Manage Your Planning
Our professional team will work with you and the architect to ensure all the essential information required is gathered prior to submitting the application. We collect the data and provide the answers to any questions you have, such as whether your project is likely to be granted permission or advise if the project needs further planning. We can also assess the likelihood of successfully obtaining planning permission.
This will enable you to consider at the early stage whether to proceed with the project, or make the necessary amendments in order to move forward. This process can save time, money and stress when it comes to planning.
Following approval of planning permission, we can move the project forward using the traditional route or design and build scheme. Our team of expert consultants will be available to work with you at every step of the way.
We will manage the entire process from concept to completion, keeping you updated regularly at every step of the way.
The Benefits of Using our Planning Team
Planners can be consulted before a plot has been purchased, as they can work out the potential of a development. This is known as pre-application advice and could save you time and money on a project turns out not to be feasible.
Our planning consultants have full and up-to-date knowledge of planning policies that any project will be subject to. Whether it is a small renovation or extension, or a complex new build, our help will be vital to the success of your project, especially if it is in a designated area of which carries restrictions such as a Conservation Area.
How Long Does It Take to Get Planning Permission?
Planning permission can take around eight weeks, but extensions can take the process to closer to thirteen weeks, with the possibility of more complex builds taking longer. Anyone likely to be affected by the proposed build will be notified and in writing and sent an invitation to view and comment on the plans. This is the public consultation part of planning permission, and the local authority will also make statutory consultations to the local Highways department, the Environment Agency and any other who may be considered to have concerns.
Erimus Architectural Design and Build will continually monitor the planning application, keeping you regularly apprised of the situation.
What Can Affect Permission Being Granted?
It can be difficult to work out exactly what goes into approving planning permission as the local authority bases its decision on what are known as ‘material considerations.’ These include, but are not limited to:
- Overlooking or loss of privacy
- Loss of light or overshadowing
- Parking
- Highway safety
- Traffic
- Noise
- Impact on listed building and Conservation Area
- Layout and density of building
- Design, appearance and materials
- Proposals in the development plan
- Previous planning decisions
Hiring Our Professional Planners
Planner with Erimus Architectural Design and Build are experts in their field, and will work with you to ensure permission for your project is planned and submitted at the right time, with the right information, giving it the maximum opportunity for success.
Our planners are also available outside the scope of the Design and Build scheme, and work with you at every step of the planning phase.
Working with our planners, you will receive the highest possible standards and service, with the knowledge, experience and professionalism to move your project from the planning stage to the start of construction.
If you want to work with our planners, contact us and let’s get your project moving.
Have a look at our other services
Architectural Design
Our architects will help with the design and planning of the project and follow the individual RIBA stages of architecture.
Construction Management
Our Construction Managers use their expertise to break down all the elements of your build, then source and award individual contractors with the specialist contractors that best suits the project. We can typically make a cost saving between 7% – 20% via this procurement route.
Design and Build
Erimus works on the principle of taking responsibility for both the design/planning and the construction elements of a project. By covering these two bases, our work is more efficient, more cohesive, and saves you money.
Quantity Surveying
Our Quantity Surveyors advise on all financial and contractual matters relating to the costs of construction projects, from procurement to final account.