Planning and building regulations in Portsmouth

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 Portsmouth?

In Portsmouth, 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 South East, where domestic building work typically costs around 12% above the national average. Council application fees are extra.

Your quote will depend mainly on:

• Party wall surveyor appointments
• Type of application
• Planning conditions
• Revisions requested by the council

A guide range is only a starting point: the guide price tool gives an instant figure for your size, and a free survey turns it into a fixed quote.

Planning and building regulations in Portsmouth

Here is how the rules work for a planning or building regulations application 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.

Building regulations approval comes from the council’s building control service or a registered building control approver. The work is inspected at key stages, such as foundations, drainage and insulation, and a completion certificate is issued at the end.

If the answer is not clear-cut, we can apply for formal confirmation before you commit to the build.

What we handle

From survey to sign-off, the job normally involves:

• Prior approval (larger home extension) in England
• Discharge of planning conditions
• Planning or householder applications
• Build-over agreements with the water company
• Lawful development certificate applications
• Party wall notices

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 Portsmouth

The South East has a broad mix of housing, from Victorian terraces in the towns to post-war semis and newer estates, so extension types vary street by street.

If your home is in Portsmouth or close by in Southsea, Gosport and Fareham, a free home visit is the first step.

How it works

1. 01

   Measured survey

   We visit and measure the house so the drawings start from accurate information.

2. 02

   Concept design

   Options for layout and appearance, revised until you are happy.

3. 03

   Application drawings

   Plans, elevations and supporting documents prepared for the council.

4. 04

   Approval

   We follow the application through to a decision and pass on the approved drawings.

Questions about planning and building regulations applications in Portsmouth