Planning permission is the last hurdle you have to clear before you can start building your dream home. After all the time it has taken to get to this point, you will no doubt be determined to get the planning permission done and dusted. But how long should this process take? What can slow it down? What can you do to get planning permission faster? We answer all of these questions and more in this little article about how long it should take to acquire planning permission. 

 

Statutory Determination Period

 

All planning applications fall under what is called a statutory determination period. This is the time that is allowed for the planning application to be determined based on the project you are undertaking. For a straight-forward development, the period is 8 weeks, for a larger or more complex project the period is 13 weeks and for a project that is subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) the period is 16 weeks. 

 

These are fixed timelines that cannot be breached without an agreement between the applicant and the planning officials. Should the determination period elapse without an agreement, the Government has a ‘planning guarantee’ in place which rules that the planning process should take no longer than a year. This means that the application should be determined within at least 26 weeks. Leaving a further 26 weeks for the all-important appeals process. 

 

If the process breaches the required 26 weeks, then all planning fees will be refunded. (this is the worst-case scenario but it is worth mentioning). 

 

What can delay it?

 

Naturally, we all want to get our planning permission done as quickly as possible. Delays in proceedings can hold back the start of your build and even throw your whole timeline off schedule.

 

Some of the most common delays are down to the technical proceedings of a given council not being adhered to. This could mean a fee not being paid at the right time or the wrong forms being handed in. These might seem like minor issues but they do hold up the process, especially in busy building areas where lots of projects are vying for the planning officer’s time. 

 

It can be the case that the project itself is creating some issues. If local themes and guidelines haven’t been followed or nearby homes haven’t been consulted about your plans, the process can slow down as concerns are addressed and issues debated. 

 

How can I speed up my planning process? 

 

The best way to speed up the planning process is to prepare well. One way that could see your project pass planning with ease is by seeking pre-application advice. This is essentially a no-consequences first swing at the planning process where you present your ideas to your local planning authority. This gives you a little bit of an insight into what you can expect during the real thing. 

 

The information you gain from this little recon mission will hold you in good stead for the actual process. You will learn what has and hasn’t worked in the past. You will  information about what is needed to properly submit your application. 

 

Any nuances about the area will likely reveal themselves during the pre-application process, providing you with valuable information for your project. 

 

Consulting your neighbours before you begin the process is also a key way of ensuring the appeals process is much shorter. It’s amazing what a quick conversation over the fence can do when it comes to achieving your goals. Hearing and addressing your neighbour’s concerns early on will set you up perfectly for a quicker planning application process. 

 

Do I have to do my planning permission? 

 

No, no you don’t. Should you choose to build with us, we will be able to handle the entire planning application process for you. Using our preferred planning consultant and years of experience, we can manage the process of applying for planning permission. This gives you the time to focus on the details of your project. We have over two decades of experience in building bespoke oak frames. This makes us brilliantly positioned to convert your ideas into plan ready drawings.