Planning in the UK is made with guidance from the National Planning Policy, which examines the nature of the development that is currently needed in the UK and how this can be best achieved. This ensures construction is carried in ways that compliment what is needed and appropriate to communities being built on.
Planning decisions in the UK are made through Local Planning Authorities who reference the National Planning Policy when making their decisions. In the ordinary course of events, planning applications are made using a uniform online application system to the Local planning authority.
Modular Building Planning Applications
Regardless of the type of structure, be that traditional or modern method of construction, planning permission is necessary where:
- The building exceeds 25% of the total area available on your site. If it is an extension, you will need permission if it exceeds 25% of the total size of the original building.
- The building is closer than 5m to the boundary of your site, even if it is temporary.
- The building significantly reduces the amount of parking space on the site.
- You intend to change the use of your building.
When considering an application, LPAs will look at
- Size, layout and external appearance of the building
- Available nearby infrastructure
- How your structure will affect the surrounding environment
- Intended use for the development
- Landscaping needs
It is always preferable to enquire about the need for planning permission with a local planning officer to find out if you are going to need planning permission to build your structure, where they will often give you an indication on how successful your application is likely to be. Some LPAs have an official pre-application process where you can gauge on how likely it will be that planning will be granted. You will normally be advised of this within a couple of weeks with information of what potential difficulties the LPA might have with your application, giving you the chance to redress these problems prior to making a formal application.
Cost of making a Planning Application
The cost of making a planning application vary depending on whether you are in Scotland, England, Wales or NI. In England, it is currently $462 for a full application with applications for extensions costing £206. Formal pre-application advice produces extra charges as does small disbursements that are payable for the discharge of planning conditions.
You will be asked to provide the following information when making a planning application
- 5 copies of your application forms
- Location plan including the site plan, block plan, elevations of both existing and proposed sites. It should also show several details about the site and how it fits into the surrounding area.
- Signed ownership certificate
- Agricultural holdings certificate
- Design and access statement. This is a short report that must accompany and support your application. It provides a framework in which you explain how the proposed development will fit into the site and its setting.
- Application Fee
The application process normally takes eight to ten weeks after the submission of a planning application. If you file a more detailed and complex application, it is likely you will wait longer.
Should you begin to put up your building prior to securing planning permission, are your application is subsequently refused, you will be required to take down the structure. This could result in a significant loss. It is strongly advised to wait for planning permission before proceeding.
Building Regulations
Building regulations are different from planning permission. The former deals more with the appearance of the proposed new structure or extension. Planning permission authorities assess whether the development will compliment and comply with local and national policies or whether it would cause harm or unnecessary strain on local amenities. As planning and building regulations are distinctly different, do not assume that having one gives automatic consent for another.
Garden rooms and offices up to an internal floor area of 30 square metres (single storey) are generally exempt from building regulations except when it is being used as a sleeping accommodation.
Each local authority has a building control section. Alternatively, the UK government has introduced legislation to grant private approved inspectors to check Building Regulations compliance work. (https://www.gov.uk/building-regulations-approval/how-to-apply)
English