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 the Highlands and Islands?
In the Highlands and Islands, a planning or building regulations application typically costs £750–£2,500 for application management (council fees extra), including VAT at 20% (standard rate; planning application fees carry no VAT, council building control fees include VAT). Prices in Scotland sit near the national average for this kind of work, and the range for the Highlands and Islands reflects that. Council application fees are extra.
| Size or type | Guide range |
|---|---|
| Application management (council fees extra) | £750–£2,500 |
| Larger or more complex projects | £2,500–£3,000 |
The main things that change the cost:
- Agreements with neighbours on shared walls
- Council fees
- Planning conditions
- Building control route
For a figure based on your own measurements, try the guide price tool, then book a free home visit for a fixed quote.
Planning and building regulations in the Highlands and Islands
Whether you need planning permission depends on your house and its location in Scotland. In Scotland planning applications and building warrants are both made to the council, and the warrant must be granted before work starts.
Scotland has no Party Wall Act. Work on shared walls is governed by your title deeds, the Tenements (Scotland) Act 2004 for flats, and common law, so we agree arrangements with neighbours in writing before work starts.
We check this for your address before design work starts, so there are no surprises later.
What we handle
On a typical planning or building regulations application we handle:
- Planning or householder applications
- Certificate of lawfulness applications
- Written agreement with neighbours on shared walls
- Discharge of planning conditions
- Building control application and inspections
- 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 the Highlands and Islands
In Scotland, bungalows and one-and-a-half-storey homes are common, so dormer conversions are a popular way to add bedrooms.
Towns we cover in the Highlands and Islands include Inverness, Stornoway, Fort William, Nairn, Thurso and Kirkwall.
How it works
- 01
Survey and brief
We visit, talk through what you want and record the existing building.
- 02
Concept design
Options for layout and appearance, revised until you are happy.
- 03
Drawings and documents
The drawings and forms the council and building control need.
- 04
Submission and follow-up
We submit the application and deal with questions from the council or building control.
Questions about planning and building regulations applications in the Highlands and Islands
How long does a planning decision take?
Councils aim to decide most householder applications within 8 weeks.
What happens if I build without approval?
The council can take enforcement action, and missing approvals cause problems when selling. It is always better to get approvals first.
What is a certificate of lawfulness?
A certificate from the council confirming that a project is permitted development. It is optional but useful when selling the house.
How much does a planning or building regulations application cost in the Highlands and Islands?
In the Highlands and Islands, a planning or building regulations application typically costs £750–£2,500 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 the Highlands and Islands?
Yes. We handle planning and building regulations applications across the Highlands and Islands, including postcodes AB37, HS1, HS2, HS3 and HS4. Every project starts with a free home visit.
What about shared walls in the Highlands and Islands?
Scotland has no Party Wall Act. Work on shared walls is governed by your title deeds, the Tenements (Scotland) Act 2004 for flats, and common law, so we agree arrangements with neighbours in writing before work starts.