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 Newtownards?
In Newtownards, 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). That range is adjusted for Northern Ireland, where domestic building work typically costs around 14% below the national average. 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:
- Revisions requested by the council
- Type of application
- Council fees
- Planning conditions
Your exact price depends on the survey and drawings. The guide price tool gives a quick range in the meantime.
Planning and building regulations in Newtownards
The approval route for Newtownards is set by planning law in Northern Ireland. In Northern Ireland planning applications go to one of the 11 councils, which also provide building control.
In Northern Ireland building control approval comes from the council, usually through a full plans application or a building notice, with inspections during the work and a completion certificate at the end.
Our first visit includes a check of your planning history, so you know the route before paying for drawings.
What we handle
Handled as part of most planning and building regulations applications:
- Building control application and inspections
- Written agreement with neighbours on shared walls
- Planning or householder applications
- Discharge of planning conditions
- Build-over agreements with the water company
- Permitted development assessment
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 Newtownards
Northern Ireland has many detached and semi-detached homes on generous plots, which suits single-storey rear extensions and garage conversions.
From BT22 outwards, we take on projects throughout Newtownards and the surrounding parts of County Down.
How it works
- 01
Survey and brief
We visit, talk through what you want and record the existing building.
- 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 Newtownards
Do you handle planning and building regulations applications in Newtownards?
Yes. We handle planning and building regulations applications across Newtownards, including postcodes BT22 and BT23. Every project starts with a free home visit.
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.
How long does a planning decision take?
Councils aim to decide most householder applications within 8 weeks.
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.
What about shared walls in Newtownards?
Northern Ireland has no Party Wall Act. Work on shared walls relies on agreement with the neighbour and common law, so we agree the arrangements in writing before work starts.
How much does a planning or building regulations application cost in Newtownards?
In Newtownards, 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.