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Transparent pricing, from start to finishGet the support you need, when you need itTrusted lawyers, clear expectations
Amazing experience
After placing an enquiry, I received a call 20 minutes later, and then 2 hours later, I had a solicitor assigned to me. They were absolutely incredible right from the word go - amazing and very prompt with replies, answering all my questions and keeping the process moving. We finally completed today and I am so unbelievably happy. I wouldn’t hesitate to use Lawhive again in the future if needed.
Lily
First class service
I initially made an online enquiry about a tricky conveyancing matter and received an immediate call back. They understood straight away what was needed and gave me a quote that was very reasonable. It was such a pleasure to find someone who was cheerful, professional and completely reassuring as I’d been getting quite anxious about the sale of my house. The service Lawhive has provided is absolutely first class and I cannot recommend them enough.
Charles
Empathetic, professional and efficient
I am an executor, selling my mother's home. I found the assistance I received from Lawhive first rate - empathetic, professional and efficient.
Mark
Great service from Lawhive
We used Lawhive for our conveyancing needs and our solicitor was very helpful, patient and informative. She helped us with our needs with prompt responses and provided a very efficient service.
Kelvin
Great service when you need clarity and calm
Our solicitor was warm, friendly and provided crystal clear communication. A lot of conveyancers assume customers know everything about the process already, so it was really appreciated to hear each stage included in the price given.
Em
Quick and efficient
We used Lawhive for a transfer of property and conveyancing. Our solicitor was so helpful and thorough with the whole process. He responded quickly and efficiently to any questions or requests that we had and explained some of the more complicated issues regarding the process clearly.
Geri
Fantastic service and experience with Lawhive
I had the pleasure of working with Lawhive doing a transfer of equity on a property. Our solicitor’s service was amazing, she responded quickly to any questions or concerns and kept me updated throughout the process. I can strongly recommend her for any conveyancing work that you may need. Fantastic service all round.
Jane
Amazing experience
After placing an enquiry, I received a call 20 minutes later, and then 2 hours later, I had a solicitor assigned to me. They were absolutely incredible right from the word go - amazing and very prompt with replies, answering all my questions and keeping the process moving. We finally completed today and I am so unbelievably happy. I wouldn’t hesitate to use Lawhive again in the future if needed.
Lily
First class service
I initially made an online enquiry about a tricky conveyancing matter and received an immediate call back. They understood straight away what was needed and gave me a quote that was very reasonable. It was such a pleasure to find someone who was cheerful, professional and completely reassuring as I’d been getting quite anxious about the sale of my house. The service Lawhive has provided is absolutely first class and I cannot recommend them enough.
Charles
Empathetic, professional and efficient
I am an executor, selling my mother's home. I found the assistance I received from Lawhive first rate - empathetic, professional and efficient.
Mark
Great service from Lawhive
We used Lawhive for our conveyancing needs and our solicitor was very helpful, patient and informative. She helped us with our needs with prompt responses and provided a very efficient service.
Kelvin
Great service when you need clarity and calm
Our solicitor was warm, friendly and provided crystal clear communication. A lot of conveyancers assume customers know everything about the process already, so it was really appreciated to hear each stage included in the price given.
Em
Quick and efficient
We used Lawhive for a transfer of property and conveyancing. Our solicitor was so helpful and thorough with the whole process. He responded quickly and efficiently to any questions or requests that we had and explained some of the more complicated issues regarding the process clearly.
Geri
Fantastic service and experience with Lawhive
I had the pleasure of working with Lawhive doing a transfer of equity on a property. Our solicitor’s service was amazing, she responded quickly to any questions or concerns and kept me updated throughout the process. I can strongly recommend her for any conveyancing work that you may need. Fantastic service all round.
Jane
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01 overview
Are you considering a home extension, lost conversion, or major property alteration? If so, you're probably wondering if you need planning permission before you can go ahead and it's an important question as getting the right planning permission can help you avoid costly mistakes and potential legal issues.
At Lawhive, our mission is to make the planning permission process straightforward and stress-free. We provide high-quality legal services at a fraction of the cost of traditional high-street law firms. Our experienced network of property lawyers is ready to assist you with every aspect of planning permission, from initial applications to council approvals and beyond.
With us, you gain access to our network of legal professionals dedicated to ensuring your property plans are realised. Our streamlined process means you get expert advice quickly, helping you avoid common pitfalls and ensuring your project stays on track.
To get the expert help you need, schedule a free case evaluation with our Legal Assessment Team and receive a no-obligation quote for the services of a specialist planning permission lawyer.
Planning permission is approval from your local council to carry out certain types of building work on a property, like building an extension, making major alterations, or changing the use of a building or land.
You'll likely need planning permission if you want to:
You may also need planning permission for any work in conservation areas or to make changes to listed buildings.
Some minor works, known as permitted developments, may not require planning permission. These can include small extensions, certain loft conversions, fences, or small outbuildings.
That being said, it's important to check the specific rules for your area and, if you're unsure whether your project needs planning permission, check with your local council.
This can help avoid potential issues further down the line, such as having to apply for retrospective planning permission or even having to undo the work you've already carried out.
Visit your local council's website or contact them to determine if your project requires planning permission.
This is an important step as some minor projects might fall under permitted development rights and not need formal permission.
For your application, you'll need to include site plans, floor plans, and elevation drawings showing the current and proposed changes.
You might also need to provide a design and access statement, environmental impact assessments, or heritage statements if applicable, along with photographs of the existing sites and any relevant areas.
You will likely find the planning application form you need on your local council's website or planning office.
You should fill this out and pay the application fee, which varies depending on the type and scale of your project.
Many councils offer online submission through the Planning Portal or you can submit paper forms and documents directly to the council's planning department.
After your application is submitted, it will be publicised and neighbours or relevant parties will have the opportunity to comment.
The council will also consult with various departments and external agencies to assess your application.
During this step, a planning officer may also visit the site to evaluate the impact of the proposed development and your application will be reviewed against local planning policies and guidelines.
If your planning permission application is approved, you will receive a decision notice with any conditions that must be met.
If refused, the decision notice will outline the reasons for refusal along with options for appeal or modification.
It can take anywhere between 8 to 13 weeks to get planning permission.
Having said that, it may take longer if the council needs further details or asks for revisions to your plans.
Further, larger or more complex developments may take longer. And, if your application is refused and you decide to appeal, this can add several months to the process.
For a straightforward householder application, total costs associated with applying for planning permission might be in the range of £500 to £2,000.
For more complex developments, costs can range from several thousand to tens of thousands of pounds.
The main expenses to consider when applying for planning permission include:
| Planning Application | Estimated Costs |
| Householder applications for extensions, alterations or other work on a single dwelling | Around £206 |
| Full planning applications for new buildings or significant changes to existing buildings | £462 |
| Outline planning applications for larger developments | Fees vary based on the number of dwellings or floor area involved |
You may need to engage certain professionals to support your planning permission application such as:
You may need to provide other supporting documents like an environmental impact assessment or heritage statements if your property is listed in a conservation area.
Both of these documents can be quite costly, often ranging from a few thousand pounds upwards.
Some councils charge for pre-application advice, which can range from £50 to several hundred pounds depending on the level of detail and type of project.
There may also be additional fees for public notices or consultation processes required by the council.
In some cases, you may also need building regulations approval as well as planning permission, which is a separate process that may involve additional fees.
If your application is refused and you choose to appeal, there may be further costs associated with preparing and submitting the appeal, including potential legal fees.
Having your planning permission application refused can be disappointing. If this does happen you can either:
Sometimes, it is possible to negotiate with the council to find a compromise that addresses their concerns without going through the full appeal process.
This can be faster and cheaper than appealing so it may be worth getting pre-application advice from the council to understand their concerns better and improve your chances of a successful application if you decide to re-submit.
The public consultation process allows your local community to voice their opinions on your proposed development.
It usually lasts for 21 days, during which the public can submit their comments, objections, or support for the application.
To achieve this, a notice is typically displayed on or near the application site and the council will send letters to neighbouring properties, informing them of the application and inviting them to comment.
For larger developments, a notice may also be published in a local newspaper.
The planning officer assesses the impact of the proposed development based on the public comments, considering factors such as privacy, noise, traffic, and environmental concerns. Then, after considering all of this, will issue a decision notice either granting planning permission or refusing the application.
All individuals who submitted comments will also be notified of the decision.
Sometimes, when planning permission is granted the local council may attach conditions to make sure the development is carried out following planning policies and standards. Common conditions include:
It's really important to understand all conditions attached to your planning permission and ensure compliance to avoid enforcement actions.
It's not advisable to start work before planning permission is granted as any work done without the necessary planning permission is considered unauthorised and can be subject to enforcement action by the local council.
While it is possible to apply for retrospective planning permission, there is no guarantee it will be granted. As such, you may face fines or be told to make changes or undo the work, which can be costly and time-consuming.
It is better to wait for the council's decision on planning permission before starting any work to avoid these kinds of problems.
If you need to make small changes to your development that don't significantly alter the overall nature of the approved development after planning permission is granted, you can apply to the local council for a non-material amendment to your planning permission.
For major changes that affect the scale, appearance, or use of the development, you will likely need to submit a new planning application or a Section 73 application to vary or remove conditions on the existing permission.
In these cases, the council will reassess the application, which may involve a new public consultation period and re-evaluation of the development's impact.
Either way, you must get approval from the council to make sure the changes comply with planning regulations.
At Lawhive, our network of expert property lawyers is on hand to provide comprehensive support to improve your chances of success.
Your lawyer will help you understand the specific planning requirements and policies that apply to your project.
They will also assess the feasibility of your project based on local planning regulations and provide guidance.
Your lawyer can handle the submission of your planning application to the local council, ensuring all required documents and fees are included.
If any issues arise during the assessment process, your lawyer can assist with negotiations to find acceptable solutions.
If your application is refused, your lawyer can assist you in preparing and submitting an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate, providing strong arguments and evidence to support your case.
Further, if you face enforcement actions, your solicitor can provide legal advice and representation to resolve the issues and ensure compliance with planning regulations.
At Lawhive, we offer a comprehensive range of property law services to support you through every stage of the planning permission process. From initial advice and document preparation to handling appeals, our experienced network of lawyers is dedicated to supporting your project's success.
Schedule a free case evaluation today to find out more and get a no-obligation quote for the services of a specialist lawyer.
With straightforward pricing - so you know exactly what to expect at every step.
