Homeowner development

From new basements to loft conversions, rear extensions to tennis courts – we can help you secure the planning consent you want for your home.

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Permitted development

Many extensions and works to dwellinghouses fall under the General Permitted Development Order. We can help guide you through the maze.

Landscaping

Our partner landscape architects can design the right scheme for your site. Bear in mind that significant landscaping is often classed as operational development, and can sometimes require planning permission.

Sport and Leisure

Tennis courts, swimming pools and stables often require planning permission – we can double check whether your home has permitted development rights available, and if not suggest a strategy to secure permission for you.

Residential extensions should be straight forward, but invariably throw up plenty of objections and problems. Neighbours can often be sensitive to the proposed development and Councils can be unnecessarily restrictive.

Types of home-owner development that may require planning permission includes:

  • Rear extensions
  • Side extensions
  • Loft conversions
  • Garages
  • Sheds
  • Granny Annexes
  • Staff Accommodation
  • Decking and fencing

 

The Plainview Planning Approach

To ensure you get planning permission we approach each project sensitively to make sure you get the space you need whilst staying on-side with the Council

  • Feasibility Study – This normally forms Stage 1 of our projects. We review local policies and precedents to assess your chances of securing permission. It may be that your development will be ‘permitted development’ under the General Permitted Development Order.
  • Design – If we consider an extension is possible and broadly complies with local policy then we set about helping architects come up with a design that maximises space whilst remaining within the confines set by the Council.
  • Planning and Design Statements – All of our applications are accompanied with comprehensive statements setting out the policy background of the proposed works and the steps we have taken to create a permissible scheme. We always try and second guess a Council’s potential reasons for refusal and make sure we have an answer in place.
  • Other studies – Some sites require specialist studies. Many of these Plainview Planning can undertake in-house including light surveys, contextual studies and 3D modeling.
  • Submission of application – All of our applications are submitted via the online 1APP system for speed and convenience.
  • Liaison with case officer - Throughout the determination of the planning application we regularly contact the case officer to answer any concerns they may have.

We work on all types of householder developments – extensions, loft conversions, basement conversions, outbuildings, granny annexes, tennis courts, swimming pools and more.

 

Case Studies

We have worked on a range of residential extensions with varying levels of complexity:

  • Loft conversion in conservation area, London Borough of Haringey – Initial application refused due to harm to conservation area. Following a comprehensive written representation appeal we were successful in overturning the Council’s decision. The planning inspector held that there would be no harm to the street scene.
  • Comprehensive remodeling of detached house, Worthing Borough Council – Following two previous refusals under another planning consultant Plainview stepped in to rethink the approach. We worked with our architect partner to come up with a more sensitive design that respected the character of the neighbourhood whilst providing the space our client needed.
 
Why Use Plainview Planning?

Why Use Plainview Planning?

We appreciate that there are lots of planning consultants and architects out there - so why choose Plainview Planning?

We are a friendly, approachable firm that takes pride in providing honest advice and innovative solutions to our clients. We also believe that everyone deserves expert planning advice, and we take pride in helping our corporate and private clients every step of the way.


Honest advice

Honest advice

We provide honest up-front advice about your project. If you do not have a good chance of success we will tell you. We think our honest approach to projects is why our three year success rate is 81% for our applications, appraisals, appeals and enforcement work.

Our team of planning experts are familiar with all aspects of the planning system, and prepare application and appeal documentation that is robust and persuasive.

Fixed Fee

Fixed Fee

We aim to be very transparent with our fee structure. All projects are on a fixed fee basis, and invoiced stage-by-stage.

There will never be any nasty surprises like photocopying charges, mileage allowance or additional hours.  What you see on a Plainview Planning quote is what you pay. We believe in clear, simple billing for all our clients.

Clear timelines

Clear timelines

We believe in a simple and clear approach to all projects. At the beginning of every new case we break it down into clearly defined stages, with appropriate goals and milestones. This is discussed and agreed with our client from the outset.

We provide regular updates to our clients during each stage, and are always available to discuss your project.