How to dramatically increase your chances of success
- before your application is even submitted
When to make full or outline applications
How to complete application forms and notices to your best advantage
9 essential points for writing a supporting letter and 8 common mistakes to avoid
What you must include in application plans and drawings
8 steps to help your proposal through the application process successfully
All the ways you can overcome objections and refusals
14 vital factors to take into account in applications for new homes
The critical issues in applications for conversions, extensions, home improvements, demolition and re-builds, mobile homes, sub-dividing houses, buildings in your garden, working from home and agricultural dwellings
How to tell whether an appeal will succeed and the crucial steps to see an appeal through
How four families got their planning permissions against the odds

Planning permission is the single biggest hurdle for anyone who has acquired land on which to build a house, or wants to extend or carry out other building work on property. There is never a guarantee that permission will be given and without it no project can start. Yet the system is not at all user-friendly. There is a bewildering array of formalities to go through and ever more stringent requirements to satisfy. Planning permission has never been more difficult to get, nor so sought after - every year over half-a-million applications are made, and the number is rising.

These trends create a tremendous need for this book, providing as it does clear, step-by-step guidance on how to go about securing planning permission successfully. It is written in an accessible style and illustrated throughout with photographs, drawings and examples.

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TECHNICAL INFORMATION

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COMMENTS

'At last a really useful book on planning for the selfbuilder. It is user-friendly, and describes how individuals can best set about getting the permission they require to build the home they want. This is one of the half dozen really essential books to read if you want to build a new home for yourself.'
Murray Armor, Author 15 editions of Building Your Own Home

'A straight forward, readable guide to getting the best results from the planning system. You'll be surprised at how little you knew and how much you have to gain. For builders, developers and keen individuals, it's money well spent.'
Darren Field BSc CTIS, Building professional

'Obtaining planning permission is an essential part of the design process, especially if architects want to earn their fee. As architects we often pretend to know the answers, but do we? This book is an essential source of reference to the architect in private practice.'
George Baxter ARIBA, Chartered Architect, writer and lecturer

'The sort of 'nitty gritty' advice you would normally expect to pay a professional a considerable sum of money for.' - Build It Magazine

CONTENTS

PART 1: PLANNING PERMISSION: THE BACKGROUND

CHAPTER 1 WHAT IS PLANNING PERMISSION?
Full and outline planning permission
Planning application decisions
Planning conditions
Planning obligations/agreements
Other permissions

CHAPTER 3 WHO GIVES PLANNING PERMISSION?
District councils
Parish councils
Appeal to the Secretary of State

CHAPTER 4 HOW DECISIONS ARE MADE?
Role of planning policies
Government policy and advice on planning
Councils' informal planning policy
Effects of special designations
Influence of planning history
Physical factors that affect planning decisions
Factors not relevant to planning
Non-planning considerations that can influence decisions
Constraints on councils

PART 2: MAKING A PLANNING APPLICATION

CHAPTER 7 PREPARING THE PLANNING APPLICATION
Planning application forms
Planning application fees
Notices and certificates
Plans and drawings
The covering letter
Submitting the application

CHAPTER 8 THE APPLICATION
Registration and acknowledgement
Publicity and consultation
Contacting the planning officer
Overcoming objections
Planning officers' reports
Lobbying councillors
Withdrawing applications
Planning committee meetings
Refusal of planning permission
Delegated decision
Deferred decisions
Planning permission
Further action
Complaints

CHAPTER 9 DEVELOPMENT WITHOUT PLANNING PERMISSION
Need for permission
Enforcement procedure

PART 3: MAKING A PLANNING APPEAL

PART 4: PLANNING PERMISSION FOR NEW HOMES

PART 5: PLANNING PERMISSION FOR OTHER PURPOSES

CHAPTER 18 HOME IMPROVEMENTS
Loft conversions
Porches
Replacement windows and alterations
Cladding and rendering
Re-roofing
Painting
Balconies

PART 6: CASE STUDIES

Geoff and Kathy Batty
Simon Clark
Alex and Jennifer Evans
Alan and Jane Cox

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