New Build House Planning Application

Planning support for single new homes, replacement dwellings, infill plots, garden land and small residential development projects.

Building a new house is one of the most important types of planning application. Whether you are looking at a single self-build home, a replacement dwelling, a small infill plot, a garden plot or a residential development opportunity, the planning position needs to be considered properly before too much money is spent.

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In most cases, a new build house will need planning permission. The council will usually consider the principle of development, the design, access, parking, neighbour impact, local character, trees, ecology, drainage and planning policy before making a decision.

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Planning Application Services (PAS) can help you understand what type of planning support may be needed and what drawings, documents or professional input may be required.

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New Build House Planning Permission

A new build house is not usually treated in the same way as a simple home improvement project.

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The planning application may need to show that the proposed house is acceptable in terms of:

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• The principle of building a new dwelling on the site

• The size, scale and layout of the house

• The appearance and design quality

• Access, parking and turning

• Impact on neighbouring properties

• Overlooking, privacy and daylight

• Trees, landscaping and biodiversity

• Flood risk, drainage and ground conditions

• Local planning policy and site constraints

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Some sites are much more straightforward than others. A small gap between existing houses may be easier to assess than a backland plot, garden plot, countryside site or land affected by planning restrictions.

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Common New Build House Projects

PAS can help with planning support for different types of new build house projects, including:

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• Single new build homes

• Self-build houses

• Custom build homes

• Replacement dwellings

• Infill plots

• Garden land development

• Backland development

• Small residential schemes

• Detached houses

• New houses beside or behind existing homes

• Demolition and rebuild projects

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Each project needs to be considered on its own planning merits. Two sites that look similar can have very different planning risks depending on the location, access, neighbours, policies and planning history.

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Feasibility Before Full Drawings

For many new build projects, it is sensible to start with a planning feasibility review before moving straight into full planning drawings.

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This can help identify:

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• Whether the principle of a new house looks realistic

• What planning constraints may affect the site

• Whether a full application, outline application or pre-application advice may be suitable

• Whether specialist reports are likely to be needed

• What risks should be considered before purchasing land or committing to design costs

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TOP TIP: If you are buying land or looking at a development opportunity, check the planning position before relying on estate agent wording, sales particulars or informal advice.

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Drawings For A New Build Planning Application

A new build house planning application will usually need a more complete set of drawings than many smaller domestic applications.

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This may include:

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• Site location plan

• Existing block plan

• Proposed block plan

• Existing and proposed site layout

• Existing and proposed floor plans

• Proposed elevations

• Street scene drawings where relevant

• Roof plans

• Site sections or levels drawings

• Parking and access layout

• Landscaping or boundary treatment details

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Depending on the site, the council may also require supporting reports or statements.

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Supporting Documents And Reports

New build house applications often need more than drawings alone.

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Depending on the project, the council may ask for:

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• Planning statement

• Design and access statement

• Heritage statement

• Tree survey

• Ecology report

• Biodiversity information

• Flood risk assessment

• Drainage strategy

• Highways or access information

• Contamination report

• Sustainability or energy information

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Not every project needs every report. The key is to identify what is genuinely required for the site, rather than overcomplicating the application unnecessarily.

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Outline Planning Or Full Planning?

Some new build projects may start with an outline planning application, especially where the first question is whether the principle of a new dwelling is acceptable.

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A full planning application is usually more detailed and may be more suitable where the design, layout, access and appearance are already being developed.

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PAS can help you consider which route may be more appropriate based on the site, your budget, your timescale and how much certainty you need.

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Replacement Dwellings

A replacement dwelling is where an existing house is demolished and replaced with a new one.

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This can sometimes be more straightforward than creating a completely new dwelling on land with no existing residential use, but it still needs careful planning. The council may look closely at the size, scale, design, position, impact and whether the new house is materially larger or more prominent than the existing property.

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Demolition can also raise separate planning issues, especially in conservation areas or where the building has heritage value.

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Garden Plots And Backland Development

Garden plots and backland sites can be attractive development opportunities, but they often come with planning challenges.

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Common issues include:

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• Access width

• Parking

• Refuse collection

• Impact on neighbouring gardens

• Loss of privacy

• Overdevelopment

• Local character

• Trees and landscaping

• Emergency access

• Previous planning refusals

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These sites need careful review before assuming that a new house will be acceptable.

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How PAS Can Help

Planning Application Services (PAS) can help you work out the right next step for a new build house project.

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We can assist with:

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• Initial planning guidance

• Paid planning consultancy

• Desktop feasibility reviews

• Planning drawings

• Application preparation

• Planning statements

• Pre-application advice support

• Full planning applications

• Outline planning applications

• Building Regulations drawings

• Structural engineering coordination

• Party wall advice where relevant

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With over 40 years of experience in the property sector, PAS can help homeowners, landowners, self-builders, investors and small developers approach new build planning applications with a clearer understanding of the process.

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Not Sure Where To Start?

New build planning can be exciting, but it is also one of the areas where early mistakes can be expensive.

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Before you commit to buying land, commissioning detailed drawings or submitting an application, it is worth getting the planning position reviewed properly.

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Tell Planning Application Services (PAS) what you are looking to do and we can help point you towards the most suitable next step.