Planning guides
& advice
Plain-English guides on floor plans, planning permission and measuring your property — written for homeowners and builders, not architects.
A plain-English guide to what drawings your local council requires — floor plans, elevations, site plans and when you need each one. Covers all four drawing types, scales, and common submission mistakes.
A step-by-step guide to measuring every room accurately — walls, doors, windows, staircases, ceiling heights and external dimensions. Everything we need to produce your drawings first time.
Most loft conversions don't need planning permission — but there are exceptions. A plain-English guide to permitted development rules, conservation areas and what drawings you'll need either way.
Learn what permitted development rights are, when they apply to house extensions, the size limits you need to know, and when you'll still need planning permission or a Lawful Development Certificate.
A plain-English guide to planning permission for rear, side, front and wraparound extensions — including permitted development limits, prior approval and when a full application is required.
What neighbours can and can't object to, how the council actually weighs planning objections, and where the Party Wall Act, rights to light and restrictive covenants fit in.
Most garage conversions don't need planning permission — but a parking condition on your property can change that. Covers building regulations, exceptions and the drawings you'll need.