Planning permission is one of the most important aspects when it comes to home improvement, but it can also be one of the most confusing.

We’ve taken a deep dive into the many areas of planning permission to bring you the costs involved, the different types, plus the areas where you’re most likely to get approved or declined, by speaking to local councils across the UK.

There are many different types of planning permission, the three most common are:

• Householder Planning Permission

These applications allow the modification or enlargement of a single house, but not a flat. This includes any works within the boundary line or garden of the property. This type of planning permission is often used for home extensions, conservatories, loft conversions, garages, and exterior fences.

• Outline Planning Permission

​​​​​​​This type of application doesn’t give consent for development to begin. Instead, it’s used to gain an understanding from a local authority as to whether the proposed project can take place without having to go through the whole planning permission process. Because of this, not all the specific details are required as would be the case in a full planning permission request.

If approved, a Reserved Matters application is made which must include all the missing details from the outline application.

• Full Planning Permission

   

This type of application is required when the project is not covered by a householder application. It’s mostly used for new buildings of any kind, any works relating to a flat, flat conversions, demolition, and the rebuilding of a structure.

The cost of submitting planning applications varies across the countries of the UK, with England being the cheapest and Northern Ireland being the most expensive on average.

For a full planning permission application in England, it will cost £462, while Householder Planning permission costs £206. In Wales, this slightly increases to £230 for a Householder Planning application, and £460 for Full Planning Permission.

These fees increase again for both Scotland and Northern Ireland, with Full Planning applications costing £600 in Scotland and £868 in Northern Ireland. Householder Planning applications are also pricier in Scotland at £300, and £291 in Northern Ireland.

It’s worth noting that you must pay the fees beforehand, so if your application is declined it will still cost you. But the government allows you to make the recommended alterations and re-submit for free, as long as it is done within a 12-month period.

If an application has been granted but is subject to certain conditions, a new request will have to be filed to approve the details that were asked for. Amending and re-submitting an application could however involve further fees.

At the other end of the scale, Swansea takes the prime position for declined planning permission applications, with 22% getting declined. This is followed by Luton with 21%, and Burnley with 18%.

Although Swansea tops out for most declined applications, it does grant the highest number of appeals. 100% of planning permission appeals over the past three years have been granted in this city. This is followed by Nottingham with 47%, and Stoke-on-Trent with 46%.

There are many reasons as to why a planning permission request may be denied. Some of the topmost reasons are:

• The work involves a listed property
• The property is located in a protected area
• The building would overlook another property of a neighbour
• The building would block or restrict the daylight of a neighbour
• The work would impact local trees

It is important to note, denied applications can be re-submitted with the required amends free of charge, if the resubmission falls within the 12-month period.

Taking a closer look at the capital, the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham is the best neighbourhood for obtaining planning permission – with 89% of all applications receiving approval. The Boroughs of Islington and Haringey take second position with 86%, and Barnet comes third with 83%.

Filling out the top five are the Boroughs of Lewisham and Sutton with 81% and 80% of all planning permission applications being approved respectively.

Looking at the number of planning permission appeals across London, the Boroughs of Brent and Sutton have the highest figures – with 36% of all appeals being granted approval. This is followed by Hammersmith & Fulham with 33%, and Enfield with 32%.

Those living in the Boroughs of Redbridge, Barnet, and Wandsworth may have a harder time with their applications with all these areas failing to approve any appeals.

Although it can seem daunting going through the long process of obtaining planning permission, the final result of an improved home will make it all worth it.

Whether you’re planning a new extension, loft conversion or an entire house, Toolstation has a wide range of items to help you get the job done – including must-have hammers as well as roofing, flooring and joinery equipment.