Buying a house with planning permission can be exciting, but it’s not always clear what exactly has been approved. You might receive a bundle of drawings or look at plans on the council’s planning portal and assume everything has been granted permission—but that’s not always the case. Here’s a step-by-step guide to making sense of it all.
1. Start with the Decision Notice
The decision notice is the key document that tells you whether planning permission has been approved or refused. If it’s approved, the notice will list the specific drawings that form part of the approval.
2. Cross-Check the Approved Drawings
Just because a drawing appears on the planning portal doesn’t mean it’s approved. Sometimes applications are submitted with one set of drawings but changed during the process. Planning officers may request revisions—maybe a lower roof height, different materials, or a smaller extension.
✅ Compare the drawing numbers and revisions listed in the decision notice with the drawings you have.
❌ Ignore any earlier versions or superseded drawings—they might show something that wasn’t actually approved.
For example, if the original proposal included an extra storey, but planning officers asked for it to be reduced by 20cm, then only the revised drawing (e.g., Revision B) is valid.
3. Check for Planning Conditions
Planning approvals often come with conditions. Some are standard (like an expiry date for starting work), while others might require additional approvals before building—such as agreeing on materials with the council.
4. Organise Your Drawings
To avoid confusion, separate your drawings into:
- Existing drawings (what the property looked like before)
- Approved proposed drawings (what has been granted permission)
- Refused or superseded drawings (mark these clearly and put them aside—they aren’t relevant)
5. Need Help?
If you’re unsure about your planning permission, it’s always best to double-check with an architect or planning consultant before starting work. Building something that isn’t approved could lead to enforcement action!
If you need expert guidance, Pride Road Architects can help you navigate your planning approval and ensure your project stays on track.
Get in touch today for a consultation!
