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 Planning & Building Regulations

Building Regulations vs. Planning Permission

If you're looking to change any part of the front of your property you'll need what's called "building regulations" (most people think they need planning permission). Planning permission is easier to obtain than building regs and costs a lot less. For example, in Richmond, it costs £340 for planning permission and £470 for building regs. If you have to get building regs, you'll also need planning permission i.e. you incur both sets of costs. If you only need planning permission you just incur one cost.

Normally if you're going through building regulations this would mean that you're having quite substantial work done. In this case you'll probably have drawings made to illustrate the proposed changes to your property. It's very important before you submit any drawings that you and your architect have spoken to the planning department and have received a brief on the style of buildings in your area. Whatever you do, it must be in keeping with your area. For example, they'll tell you if you're in a conservation area where special restrictions apply. If you don't check before you submit drawings, it could be very costly as they will just keep rejecting them and charging you each time you resubmit them.

On average, the time period from submission to approval is approx. 3 months if all goes well. So bear this in mind when planning a project as it can take a long time and most people don't account for this.