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 Lanarkshire?
In Lanarkshire, 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). Building costs in Scotland are close to the UK average, so the figures for Lanarkshire are close to our national guide. 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 biggest cost drivers are:
- Planning conditions
- Building control route
- Agreements with neighbours on shared walls
- Type of application
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 Lanarkshire
Approvals for a planning or building regulations application in Lanarkshire follow the rules for 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
What we take care of:
- Discharge of planning conditions
- Permitted development assessment
- Certificate of lawfulness applications
- Build-over agreements with the water company
- Planning or householder applications
- Building control application and inspections
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 Lanarkshire
Scotland’s housing ranges from sandstone tenements and villas to post-war and modern estates, and the building warrant system shapes how projects are planned.
Towns we cover in Lanarkshire include East Kilbride, Hamilton, Cumbernauld, Coatbridge, Airdrie and Motherwell.
How it works
- 01
Measured survey
We visit and measure the house so the drawings start from accurate information.
- 02
Concept design
Options for layout and appearance, revised until you are happy.
- 03
Application drawings
Plans, elevations and supporting documents prepared for the council.
- 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 Lanarkshire
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 about shared walls in Lanarkshire?
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.
How long does a planning decision take?
Councils aim to decide most householder applications within 8 weeks.
How much does a planning or building regulations application cost in Lanarkshire?
In Lanarkshire, 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 Lanarkshire?
Yes. We handle planning and building regulations applications across Lanarkshire, including postcodes EH46, EH55, G33, G65 and G66. Every project starts with a free home visit.
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.