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Planning Application Help

Practical help for homeowners, landlords, developers and property owners who are not sure what planning application, drawings or documents they need.

Planning applications can feel confusing, especially when you are not sure where to start.

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You may know what you want to build or change, but not know whether you need planning permission, permitted development, a lawful development certificate, prior approval, listed building consent or another type of application.

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Planning Application Services (PAS) helps you understand the right route before you waste time, money or effort on the wrong submission.

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Help With Planning Applications

 

PAS can provide practical planning application help for a wide range of property projects.

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This may include:

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  • house extensions

  • loft conversions

  • new build houses

  • replacement dwellings

  • garage conversions

  • garden buildings

  • change of use applications

  • HMOs

  • Airbnb and short-let planning issues

  • replacement windows

  • solar panels

  • driveways and drop kerbs

  • gates and fences

  • demolition

  • tree works

  • listed buildings

  • conservation areas

  • retrospective planning applications

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Some projects are simple. Others need careful review before an application is submitted.

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What Kind Of Planning Help Do You Need?

 

The first step is often working out what type of help is actually required.

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You may need help with:

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  • checking whether planning permission is likely to be needed

  • understanding permitted development rights

  • choosing the correct planning application type

  • preparing planning drawings

  • preparing supporting documents

  • submitting an application to the council

  • responding to council validation requests

  • reviewing a planning refusal

  • considering a revised application

  • dealing with retrospective planning issues

  • understanding what the council is asking for

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Not every project needs the same level of support. A small home improvement may only need simple drawings and a basic application, while a sensitive site may need statements, surveys or specialist reports.

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Planning Advice Before You Apply

 

One of the most useful things PAS can do is help you think about the planning position before you submit.

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This can be especially important if the property is:

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  • in a conservation area

  • listed

  • affected by an Article 4 Direction

  • close to neighbours

  • on a tight or unusual site

  • in a flood-risk area

  • affected by trees

  • part of a previous planning history

  • being changed from one use to another

  • already subject to enforcement concerns

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Early planning advice can help identify the likely route, the possible risks and the information that may be needed.

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TOP TIP: If you are unsure whether your project needs planning permission, do not guess. It is usually better to check the route properly before starting drawings, building work or council forms.

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Help With Planning Drawings

 

Most planning applications need drawings.

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These may include:

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  • site location plan

  • existing block plan

  • proposed block plan

  • existing floor plans

  • proposed floor plans

  • existing elevations

  • proposed elevations

  • roof plans

  • sections

  • street scene drawings

  • site layout drawings

  • parking or access layouts

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PAS can help arrange the drawings needed for your application and guide you on what the council is likely to expect.

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Planning drawings are not just pictures. They help the council understand the size, position, design and impact of the proposal.

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Help With Planning Documents

 

Some applications need more than drawings.

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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

  • photographic schedule

  • tree survey

  • ecology survey

  • bat survey

  • flood risk assessment

  • drainage information

  • parking survey

  • transport statement

  • construction management plan

  • HMO management plan

  • materials schedule

  • biodiversity information

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Not every application needs all of these. The key is knowing what is likely to be relevant for your property and proposal.

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Help With Planning Submissions

 

PAS can also help with preparing and submitting planning applications.

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This may include:

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  • checking the application type

  • preparing the application information

  • completing council forms

  • uploading drawings and documents

  • submitting through the Planning Portal or council system

  • helping with validation queries

  • monitoring the application after submission

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The council makes the final decision, but a clearer and better-prepared application can help reduce avoidable delays.

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If Your Application Has Been Refused

 

Planning refusal does not always mean the project is finished.

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Depending on the refusal reasons, you may be able to:

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  • revise the design

  • submit a fresh application

  • provide more supporting information

  • change the planning route

  • appeal the decision

  • seek planning advice before deciding what to do next

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PAS can help review the position and consider the most sensible next step.

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Retrospective Planning Help

 

If work has already been carried out without the correct approval, you may need retrospective planning help.

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This can apply to extensions, outbuildings, windows, fences, gates, changes of use, HMOs, commercial alterations or other works.

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A retrospective application is still assessed against planning policy. It is not automatically approved just because the work already exists.

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IMPORTANT POINT: If the council has contacted you about unauthorised works, it is usually best to deal with the matter promptly and carefully.

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Why Use PAS?

 

Planning Application Services (PAS) is built around practical architectural and planning experience.

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Our role is to help you understand:

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  • what application route may be needed

  • what drawings may be required

  • what documents or reports may be relevant

  • whether paid consultancy would be sensible

  • whether a project needs a simple submission or a more detailed review

  • what the next step should be

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With over 40 years of experience in the architectural, planning and property sectors, PAS is designed to give visitors clearer guidance before they commit to the wrong route.

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Need Planning Application Help?

 

You do not need to know all the planning terminology before asking for help.

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Tell Planning Application Services (PAS) what you are trying to do, where the property is and what stage you are at. We can then help point you towards the right planning route, drawings, documents or application support.

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