Fixed-Fee UK Planning Consultancy

Get Your Prior Approval Without the Guesswork

Specialist support for Permitted Development and Prior Approval applications across England — larger home extensions, Class MA conversions and commercial PD. Clear fixed fees. No hourly billing. No surprises.

Get Your Free Eligibility Check See Fixed Fees

Fixed fees from £395

Nationwide coverage across England

Specialists in Prior Approval routes

Our Specialist Services

We focus exclusively on Permitted Development and Prior Approval — deep expertise in the routes that avoid a full planning application.

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Larger Home Extension Prior Approval

Single-storey rear extensions beyond standard PD limits, submitted through the neighbour consultation scheme.

Up to 8m rear extensions (detached homes)
Up to 6m for semi-detached & terraced
42-day council determination window
Neighbour consultation handled for you

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Class MA — Commercial to Residential

Convert shops, offices and other Class E commercial premises into homes under Class MA permitted development rights.

Eligibility & vacancy assessment
Full prior approval submission
56-day determination period
Advice on floorspace & space standards

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Commercial Permitted Development

PD applications for offices, retail and other commercial premises — extensions, alterations and changes of use.

Office & retail PD applications
Change of use assessments
Lawful development certificates
Pre-purchase PD due diligence

How It Works

A simple, fixed-fee process from first enquiry to council decision.

Free Eligibility Check

Email us your address and plans. We confirm whether your project qualifies for a Prior Approval or PD route — free, no obligation.

Fixed-Fee Quote

You get a clear written quote before anything starts. The price we agree is the price you pay.

We Prepare & Submit

We prepare the application, supporting statements and submission to your local council on your behalf.

Council Liaison to Decision

We deal with the council's questions and track your application through to determination.

Why Use the Prior Approval Route?

Prior Approval is a streamlined alternative to a full planning application. Because the development rights already exist in national legislation, the council can only assess a limited set of issues — not the principle of development itself.

That means faster decisions, defined statutory timescales and far less design subjectivity. But the applications are technical: getting the details wrong is the most common reason they fail.

That's where we come in. It's all we do.

Prior Approval at a Glance

Defined determination periods — typically 42 or 56 days
Council assessment limited to specific matters only
Lower application fees than full planning
Deemed consent possible if the council misses its deadline (route-dependent)
No design committee — decisions made against fixed criteria

Transparent Fixed-Fee Pricing

No hourly rates. No open-ended costs. Choose the level of support you need.

Basic

£395

Know where you stand before you commit.

Full eligibility assessment
Review of your site & proposals
Written advice report
Recommended application route

Start with Basic

Standard

£695

Full application handled end to end.

Everything in Basic
Full application preparation
Supporting statement drafting
Submission to your local council
Council liaison through to decision

Choose Standard

Premium

£995

Strategic support for complex cases.

Everything in Standard
Strategic planning advice
Full case management
Post-decision support
Resubmission advice if refused

Choose Premium

Council application fees are paid separately to your local authority. Not sure which package fits? Email us — we'll tell you honestly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Prior Approval and how is it different from planning permission?

Prior Approval is a route within Permitted Development rights. The right to develop already exists in national legislation — the council only checks specific matters (such as impact on neighbours, transport or flooding, depending on the route). It's typically faster and cheaper than a full planning application, with fixed determination periods.

How long does a Prior Approval application take?

Most routes have statutory determination periods — 42 days for larger home extensions and 56 days for Class MA commercial-to-residential conversions. For some routes, if the council fails to respond in time, consent can be deemed to have been granted.

Do I qualify for a larger home extension under Prior Approval?

Single-storey rear extensions of up to 8 metres on detached houses (6 metres on semi-detached and terraced) can qualify under the neighbour consultation scheme, subject to conditions such as height limits and land designations. Email us your address and we'll confirm eligibility for free.

What is Class MA and does my building qualify?

Class MA allows the change of use from Commercial, Business and Service use (Class E) — such as shops and offices — to residential dwellings, subject to conditions including a vacancy requirement and floorspace limits. We assess eligibility as the first step of every instruction.

What happens if my application is refused?

A refusal isn't necessarily the end. Depending on the reasons, options include amending and resubmitting, an appeal, or an alternative application route. Our Premium package includes post-decision support, and we advise all clients honestly on the best next step.

Do you cover my area?

Yes — we operate nationwide across England. Because Prior Approval applications are assessed against national legislation and submitted online, we can act for you wherever your property is located.