What is a planning or building regulations application?

Planning permission decides whether a project can be built; building regulations decide how it must be built. Most extensions, lofts and conversions need building regulations approval even when planning permission is not required.
How much does a planning or building regulations application cost in Burnley?
In Burnley, a planning or building regulations application typically costs £750–£2,250 for application management (council fees extra), including VAT at 20% (standard rate; planning application fees carry no VAT, council building control fees include VAT). The guide for Burnley reflects typical costs in the North West, roughly 6% below the UK-wide figure. Council application fees are extra.
| Size or type | Guide range |
|---|---|
| Application management (council fees extra) | £750–£2,250 |
| Larger or more complex projects | £2,250–£2,750 |
The main things that change the cost:
- Party wall surveyor appointments
- Revisions requested by the council
- Building control route
- Council fees
Use the guide price tool to see how size and specification change the figure, then ask for a written, itemised quote.
Planning and building regulations in Burnley
Before anything is built in Burnley, we confirm which approvals apply in England. In England householder applications, lawful development certificates and prior approvals for larger home extensions go to the local planning authority. Building control can be the council or a registered building control approver.
Where work involves a shared wall, building on the boundary, or digging foundations within 3 metres of a neighbour’s building and deeper than its foundations (or within 6 metres for deeper work), the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies and notices must be served before work starts.
We check this for your address before design work starts, so there are no surprises later.
What we handle
From survey to sign-off, the job normally involves:
- Permitted development assessment
- Prior approval (larger home extension) in England
- Discharge of planning conditions
- Building control application and inspections
- Party wall notices
- Build-over agreements with the water company
How long does it take?
Allow about 8 weeks for a householder planning decision (two months in Scotland). If the drawings are for a planning application, add the council’s decision period once they are submitted.
Building in Burnley
The North West has many brick terraces and inter-war semis, where kitchen extensions and dormer loft conversions add space without moving.
Projects in Burnley (BB11) are surveyed in person before we quote, so the price reflects your actual property.
How it works
- 01
Measured survey
We visit and measure the house so the drawings start from accurate information.
- 02
Design options
Sketch layouts to agree the approach before detailed drawing starts.
- 03
Drawings and documents
The drawings and forms the council and building control need.
- 04
Approval
We follow the application through to a decision and pass on the approved drawings.
Questions about planning and building regulations applications in Burnley
How much does a planning or building regulations application cost in Burnley?
In Burnley, a planning or building regulations application typically costs £750–£2,250 for application management (council fees extra), including VAT at 20% (standard rate; planning application fees carry no VAT, council building control fees include VAT). Your fixed price depends on the survey and drawings.
Do you handle planning and building regulations applications in Burnley?
Yes. We handle planning and building regulations applications across Burnley, including postcodes BB11. Every project starts with a free home visit.
How long does a planning decision take?
Councils aim to decide most householder applications within 8 weeks.
Who carries out building control?
Either the council’s building control service or, in England and Wales, a private building control body registered to do the work. In Scotland and Northern Ireland building control is provided by the council.
What is the difference between planning permission and building regulations?
Planning permission controls what you build and how it looks and affects neighbours. Building regulations control how it is built: structure, fire safety, insulation and drainage.
