Planning Approval Guidance & Advice Services
Our planning and approval services cover every stage of the process, from initial consultations and document preparation to securing the necessary permissions and approvals. We work closely with you to ensure that your project meets all legal requirements while aligning with your vision. Whether you're applying for planning permission, prior approval, or building regulations compliance, we focus on delivering expert guidance and tailored solutions that streamline the process and help bring your project to life.
Putting you at the centre
We put you at the centre of the planning and approval process. By working closely with you, we understand your requirements and guide you through each step, ensuring your project aligns with your vision. Our team is dedicated to providing expert support, making the process seamless and stress-free, so you can move forward with confidence.
Planning Permission Guidance
Securing the right planning permission is essential for any home extension, renovation, or new build project. At Fleet Homes, we provide expert guidance through the entire planning process, ensuring that your project meets all local authority requirements. Our team handles everything from initial consultations to preparing and submitting detailed plans that comply with local regulations in Surrey and surrounding areas. We take into account factors such as property boundaries, conservation areas, and the impact on neighboring properties, ensuring your project moves forward smoothly.
Whether you’re expanding your living space or adding new rooms, we help you navigate the often complex planning regulations, ensuring that your project adheres to legal guidelines, avoiding delays and costly mistakes.
Prior Approval for Home Extensions
Prior approval is an essential step when planning certain types of home extensions under permitted development rights. It ensures that your project meets specific criteria before construction begins, avoiding costly delays or issues with compliance. For larger extensions, prior approval allows local authorities to assess the potential impact on neighbours, considering factors such as noise, privacy, and loss of light.
Fleet Homes Construction simplifies this process by guiding homeowners through the submission of detailed plans and documentation to the local council. We manage consultations, address objections, and ensure your proposal complies with the latest regulations. Our expertise removes uncertainty, enabling you to move forward with confidence. Whether you’re creating space for a growing family or adding value to your property, we help ensure your extension is approved and your project stays on track.
Building Regulations Compliance and Approval
Whether or not your project requires planning permission, building regulations compliance is mandatory. At Fleet Homes, we ensure your project adheres to the strict safety standards outlined in the Building Regulations Approved Documents. These cover areas such as structural stability, fire safety, ventilation, and insulation.
Our team coordinates with building control officers and submits the necessary documentation to secure your building regulations approval. By ensuring all stages of your extension, renovation, or new build meet these legal requirements, we help you avoid costly adjustments later in the construction process. Our thorough approach ensures that your project passes inspections, giving you peace of mind and a safe, compliant home.
Comprehensive Document Management
Managing the documentation for planning permission, prior approval, and building regulations approval can be overwhelming. Fleet Homes offers a full-service approach to handling all necessary paperwork, ensuring that your project is fully compliant from start to finish. We streamline the approval process by preparing, submitting, and tracking all documentation, ensuring there are no administrative hurdles that could delay your project.
Whether you are extending, renovating, or building a new home, we handle the complex layers of paperwork, from initial consultations to final approvals. Our service ensures a smooth project journey, allowing you to focus on your vision while we manage the compliance.
Let’s explain a little more…
Our first conversation
You decide when you want to discuss your home renovation or extension – whether before or after you have architectural plans
1Listening to your needs
You tell us what matters to you – and we’ll listen. If it’s top of your list, we’ll put it at the top of ours
2Communication that works for you
You define how you want us to communicate and how often – then we’ll keep you updated in the way that works for you
3Frequently Asked Questions
We understand that navigating the planning and approval process can feel overwhelming, with many important factors to consider. Whether you're seeking planning permission, prior approval, or building regulations compliance, it's normal to have plenty of questions. To help you feel confident in moving forward, we’ve provided answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the planning and approval process, so you know exactly what to expect.
Do I always need planning permission for a home extension?
Not all home extensions require planning permission. Smaller projects, like single-storey rear extensions, may be allowed under permitted development rights, meaning they don’t need full permission if they meet specific criteria. However, larger or more complex extensions, especially in conservation areas, usually require planning permission. We can assess your project and handle the entire planning application process if needed, ensuring all local authority requirements are met.
What is prior approval, and when do I need it?
Prior approval is necessary for larger extensions that exceed the standard permitted development limits, such as rear extensions beyond 3 to 6 meters for semi-detached houses or 4 to 8 meters for detached properties. This process allows your local council to assess the impact on neighbors and the environment. We handle the prior approval process for you, ensuring all required documentation is submitted and regulations are adhered to.
What are building regulations, and do I need approval for them?
Building regulations are legal requirements designed to ensure the safety and energy efficiency of your home. They cover critical areas such as structural integrity, fire safety, and insulation. All new builds, extensions, and renovations must comply with these regulations, and we will ensure that your project is fully compliant, handling all aspects of building regulations approval.
How long does the planning permission process take?
Typically, the planning permission process takes 8 to 12 weeks from submission to decision. However, this timeframe can vary depending on the complexity of your project and the local council’s workload. We manage the process from start to finish, ensuring that your application is submitted correctly and progresses smoothly.
What happens if my planning application or prior approval is rejected?
If your application or prior approval is rejected, we will work with you to understand the reasons behind the refusal and make any necessary adjustments to resubmit it. In some cases, you may also have the option to appeal the decision, and we can guide you through this process, ensuring you have the best chance of success.