Planning and permissions

Permitted development, planning applications, building regulations and what each Surrey council looks for, explained for homeowners planning a project.

Most projects in Surrey fall into one of three boxes: permitted development, a householder planning application, or a scheme that needs more care because the house is listed, in a conservation area or in the Green Belt. Working out which box you are in is the first decision, and it changes everything that follows: the drawings you need, the timescale and the risk. These articles explain how each route works, what the councils look for and where applications go wrong. Building regulations are covered too, because planning permission alone does not let you build.

Other topics: Extensions · Lofts and roofs · Kitchens and interiors · Costs and budgeting · Sustainability and retrofit · Working with an architect · Council planning guides

All articles

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