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 Norfolk?
In Norfolk, a planning or building regulations application typically costs £750–£2,750 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 the East of England, where domestic building work typically costs around 6% above the national average. Council application fees are extra.
| Size or type | Guide range |
|---|---|
| Application management (council fees extra) | £750–£2,750 |
| Larger or more complex projects | £2,750–£3,500 |
The biggest cost drivers are:
- Planning conditions
- Party wall surveyor appointments
- Council fees
- Building control route
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 Norfolk
Before anything is built in Norfolk, 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.
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:
- Party wall notices
- Permitted development assessment
- Prior approval (larger home extension) in England
- Building control application and inspections
- Planning or householder applications
- Lawful development certificate applications
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 Norfolk
Many towns in the East of England have estates built since the 1970s, where garage conversions and rear extensions are popular.
Towns we cover in Norfolk include Norwich, Great Yarmouth, King's Lynn, Thetford, Bowthorpe and East Dereham.
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
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 Norfolk
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.
How much does a planning or building regulations application cost in Norfolk?
In Norfolk, a planning or building regulations application typically costs £750–£2,750 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 Norfolk?
Yes. We handle planning and building regulations applications across Norfolk, including postcodes IP20, IP21, IP22, IP24 and IP25. 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.