English Consulting Engineers
English Consulting Engineers can submit planning and building control submissions on your behalf and see the process through to completion. We can also assist in the pre planning process and advise if planning permission is required as it is not always the case. As is often the case, we can work with your builder and or architect to prepare the drawing submissions to local authority.
Planning permission is a formal written approval from the local council permitting you to carry out your planned works. Depending on the size and nature of the works it can come with conditions which have to be met. Where permitted development rights do not apply you must apply for planning permission.
Where planning permission is required a planning submission has to be made providing details of the proposed works. This allows the planning officer to make an informed decision on whether or not to grant planning permission.
The submission itself consists of the fee, the application form and a set of drawings showing location, existing drawings and proposed design.
At English Consulting Engineers will will advise if planning permission is required.
In well built up areas, extensions and loft conversions to existing properties are common due to the scarcity of land and cost of new builds. As such planning applications for such schemes are numerous so much so that the UK government has introduced permitted development rights which negates the need for full planning permission for many smaller projects. This avoids the need for full planning permission, which can take weeks to get, and makes the process easier in theory.
Planning permission can be refused. The decision to grant or refuse planning is made by the local planning authority based on a number of factors. The main reason for refusal is where a proposed development is not in character with local surroundings, negatively impacts the local environment or is not in line with national policy. It is worth noting that an applicant has the right to appeal a rejected planning application. In this instance a third party planning inspector will review the case and submit the findings to the planning authority.
Some of the principle factors to consider for extensions and loft conversions subject to planning are will the neighbours’ right to light be affected and will it impede on their privacy. Loft conversions tend to be towards the rear of a property where they look onto neighbouring back gardens.
A well designed extension or loft conversion that considers all factors should have no issue getting through planning.
We are a forward thinking chartered engineers consultancy operating in South West London.
We are fully insured, guaranteeing a safe and reliable project completion.
20+ years experience operating internationally and in the UK.
