RIBA Chartered Practice · Woking, Surrey

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Planning guides

Extending your home, borough by borough

Every council in Surrey judges a householder application against its own local plan and design guidance. These guides set out what each one looks for, where the Green Belt, conservation areas and flood zones fall, and what tends to decide a borderline case.

From 1 April 2027 the boroughs become two councils, West Surrey and East Surrey. Permissions already granted stay valid, and the borough plans are expected to carry across until the new councils adopt their own.

West Surrey

Woking, Guildford, Waverley, Surrey Heath, Runnymede and Spelthorne.

East Surrey

Elmbridge and Mole Valley, the two East Surrey boroughs where we work most.

Before you read the rules

The guides tell you what a council will ask. They do not tell you whether an extension is the right answer for your house. That is what the Clarity Pack tests, against planning, structure and budget, before anyone draws a scheme. If you are not sure whether you need permission at all, start with our guide to planning permission for extensions.

Not sure which rules apply to your street?

Fifteen minutes on the phone with James. We talk through where you are, what you are trying to achieve, and what the sensible next step looks like. There is no pressure and no obligation. Sometimes the right outcome of a call is simply a clearer head.

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Accreditations

  • RIBA Chartered Practice
  • ARB registered architect, registration number 088216J
  • AECB member