NJC Services

Planning and Design

Many domestic extensions do not require planning permission and can be built under Permitted Development, (P D Rights) but does depend on previous building work
carried out and other factors. However nearly all extensions require Building Regulation approval, and we specialise in the preparation of plans suitable for Building Regulations
 purposes for all domestic extensions, commercial extensions and developments.

If planning permission is required, generally we will prepare plans suitable for planning application purposes only, and not include the technical detailing required for
Building Regulations (our work covers Conservation Area and Listed Building applications). If planning permission is granted, those plans can then be duly upgraded.
There are many changes of use which require planning permission, the most common being conversion of larger single family houses into self contained flats, and change of use of Business Class Uses A1, A2 & A3, D1 & D2.

As an example, for Class A3 the Council will require details of extractor ducting to dispose of odours from the cooking facilities in the kitchens, and these details are usually included on our plans as part of the planning application. Further information may also be required if the property is within a Conservation Area and is a listed building. We can also include alterations to the shop front if that is proposed, and these can all be incorporated into one application with a saving on both planning application fees to the Council and on architectural fees.

We pride ourselves in having a 100% success rate in achieving planning permission approval for all types of schemes from small to large developments. This is due to understanding the Client’s requirements but also being realistic and producing a workable scheme.


Outline Consent
Outline Planning Permission - is a useful way of establishing whether or not your building project is likely to be accepted in principle, without the expense of making a full formal application. Details such as type of materials, style, design, landscaping can be left later when a full application is submitted. An outline application will deal with basic principles of development such as number of units, basic layout, car parking, access, site density etc.

Outline applications are only usually suitable for redevelopment schemes, such as for a single dwelling house right up to multiple blocks of flats, on both brownfield and greenfield sites. Change of use applications can never be submitted as outline applications, and most domestic and commercial extensions also require full planning applications.

Flat Conversion
Commercial developers frequently require the maximisation of a building's development potential by converting into the optimum number of self contained flats. We pride ourselves on having the skill and expertise to determine the optimum number of flats for a particular building, including layout and facilities provision, so to maximise the development potential. We don’t just produce a plan without thinking it through.

We can also advise on ancillary detailing such as car parking, landscaping, amenity space, dustbin enclosures, etc. In addition to the planning aspect there are other features to consider, in terms of structural elements, fire-resisting components, compartmental walls and floors, sound proofing and heat conservation, all of which need to be addressed. We are mindful that Developers will require these to be dealt with, not just with safety in mind, but also taking into account economy of construction materials and methods.

planningportal 

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NJC
Chartered Building Consultancy