Planning Permission Drawings
Whether you need Planning Permission isn’t always straightforward. Some home improvements can be carried out under Permitted Development, while others require a planning application or a different approval route.
Downland Studio can help you understand the likely route before you commit to drawings or an application.
Use our Planning Permission Checker to answer a few simple questions about your home and proposed project. We’ll highlight whether Permitted Development may be possible, whether further checks are needed and some of the other approvals you may need to consider.
Am I likely to need Planning Permission?
Answer a few questions about your home and proposed work to understand your likely planning route and some of the other approvals you may need.
First, tell us about your home
Householder Permitted Development rights depend on the property type and its history.
For example, a former shop, office or agricultural building converted to a home.
Does the property have any special planning restrictions?
It's completely normal not to know. Choose “Not sure” and we'll tell you what needs checking.
For example a Conservation Area, National Landscape / AONB, National Park or World Heritage Site.
What are you thinking of doing?
Choose the main part of the project. We'll show other approvals separately at the end.
Property history and available space
Include extensions, roof enlargements, substantial internal alterations and substantial outbuildings.
Don't include the footprint of the original house itself. If you're unsure, we'll flag this for checking.
Trees and the site
Tree protection is separate from Planning Permission, but it can affect the design and construction approach.
PLANNING YOUR HOME
A clear proposal. A considered approach.
Planning drawings turn your ideas into a proposal that can be understood and assessed. The aim is to explain what will change, how the spaces work and how the design relates to your home and its surroundings.
Downland Studio prepares residential planning drawings and supports applications for extensions, loft conversions and alterations across Worthing and West Sussex. The scope is agreed around your property, design and likely approval route.
DISCUSS YOUR PROJECT →UNDERSTAND THE ROUTE
Does your project need an application?
PLANNING PERMISSION
An application for the proposal
Where a planning application is needed, drawings and supporting information present the proposed design for the local authority to assess against relevant planning considerations.
PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT
Work within defined limits
Some home improvements can use permitted development rights, subject to conditions and restrictions. The property’s history, location and proposed work need to be checked; some routes also require prior approval.
LAWFUL DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATE
Formal confirmation
A proposed Lawful Development Certificate can provide formal confirmation that the described work would be lawful for planning purposes. It is assessed against the relevant legal requirements, rather than the planning merits of the design.
The checker above is a useful starting point. The appropriate route needs to be established for the actual property and proposal.
OFFICIAL PLANNING GUIDANCE →WHAT THE DRAWINGS COMMUNICATE
Make the design easy to understand.
EXISTING INFORMATION
Your home as it stands
A detailed digital measured survey captures your home’s layout, wall thicknesses, openings and key dimensions. We check the information, supplement it with precision laser measurement where required, and produce the existing Revit model and drawings used to develop your proposal.
PROPOSED DRAWINGS
The changes you are planning
Plans and elevations explain the layout, scale and appearance of the proposal. Sections can clarify roof forms, levels and other aspects where required.
SITE & LOCATION
The wider context
Site and location plans show the property and the proposal in relation to its surroundings, boundaries and neighbouring buildings.
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
What the application needs
The required documents vary by project and local validation requirements. Any additional reports or specialist appointments are identified and agreed as appropriate.
FROM BRIEF TO DECISION
How the planning stage works.
BRIEF & SURVEY
Understand your priorities
We discuss the space you need and agree the survey and design scope. Digital measurement helps us move efficiently from the first site visit into design, reducing unnecessary repeat visits. Your measured floor plan is provided as a PDF through your Client Portal.
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
Shape and refine the proposal
Layouts and design options are developed with your feedback, considering the home, site and practical buildability.
APPLICATION INFORMATION
Prepare the agreed design
The drawings and relevant supporting information are assembled for the appropriate planning route.
SUBMISSION & REVIEW
Support the application
Where included in the appointment, the application is submitted via Planning Portal and relevant queries about Downland Studio’s design information are addressed during review.
DECISION & NEXT STEPS
Understand what follows
The local authority makes the decision. We review the outcome and discuss relevant conditions and the next design stage. Approval and decision timescales cannot be guaranteed.
PLANNING → TECHNICAL DESIGN
Permission is one stage of the journey.
Planning drawings principally explain the proposal’s layout, scale and appearance. They generally do not provide all the technical information needed for Building Regulations review or construction.
Technical design develops how floors, walls and roofs come together, along with relevant structure, insulation, ventilation, fire safety and drainage. Structural engineers and other specialists are separately appointed where required, with their information coordinated into the architectural package as appropriate.
EXPLORE BUILDING REGULATIONS →CLEAR FROM THE BEGINNING
Planning drawings from £800.
Guide pricing for conventional residential planning drawings starts from £800. The Complete Design & Technical Package starts from £2,650.
Every project receives a tailored itemised proposal setting out the agreed scope. Application charges, specialist reports and other third-party costs are identified separately where relevant.
VIEW SERVICES & FEES →PLANNING QUESTIONS
A little more clarity.
Can you help with conservation-area projects?
Yes. The design needs to respond sensitively to the property and its surroundings. We review the planning route and identify relevant supporting information; separately appointed specialist advice may be required.
What if I already have drawings?
We can review the information you have and discuss the work needed. The proposal will set out whether revisions, a new survey or additional drawings are required.
Can you guarantee planning approval?
No. The local authority determines the application. Downland Studio develops a considered proposal and supports the agreed application process, but cannot guarantee its outcome.
Can I build as soon as planning is granted?
Check the decision, relevant conditions and the other approvals and technical information required before starting work. Planning Permission does not replace Building Regulations or any applicable party wall procedures.
READY TO EXPLORE YOUR IDEAS?
Plan the next step for your home.
Whether you have a clear proposal or are still working out what your home needs, we can discuss the design, likely planning route and drawings required to move forward.
DISCUSS YOUR PROJECT →