One of the most common questions we receive is, “Can I make a planning application without an architect?”
The answer is yes – you are able to submit a planning application on your own, but it’s not advised. The process is more complicated and nuanced than you might expect.
In this video, I’ll walk you through some of the important aspects you need to take into account, such as selecting the correct forms, meeting the incredibly tough validation requirements, and the problems and issues that can arise from a DIY application.
Afterwards, you’ll be able to see exactly what the benefit is of hiring a professional for your project to be a success.
Transcript:
Hi, Tina here from Formed Architects. Today I just wanted to tackle a question that we often get asked: Can I make a planning permission application myself?
The real answer is yes, there is nothing stopping you from making an application yourself. But ultimately, what you probably want to ask yourself is whether you know what you’re doing, and do you have the right skills and, more importantly, the time to make the application?
Making an application is something anybody can set up an online account to do via the planning portal. Fundamentally, you fill in the form and away you go. However, it is not that straightforward. There are a complex number of layers, and the first thing to probably understand is whether you have the right form.
There are householder forms, forms if you’re in a conservation area, different forms if you own a flat, and different forms if the work you’re doing is under permitted development. So, the key is to understand the right form. Luckily, the portal does have a bit of an AI bot that can guide you towards the right form, but ultimately, if you get it wrong, your application won’t be valid.
In terms of validation, councils are becoming more and more stringent around the validation process, partly driven by the fact that they have low staff resources and do not want to waste time understanding whether you have the right information in your application.
You almost have a situation where it’s a tick-box system, and the computer says no. For example, if your drawings don’t have north points, scale bars, and all the required information, the likelihood is that your application will be considered invalid and therefore sent back, causing further delay to the application process. So, you want to make sure that you’ve tackled the validation requirements.
Increasingly, the validation requirements are becoming tighter. If you live in a conservation area, you’ll need a design and access statement and a heritage statement. Do you have the time and skills required to write one of those? You might be able to consider something that’s been done in the local area and use that information to write your own. Otherwise, you may need to get someone involved who can help you with that.
So yes, you can make a planning application yourself. It is a little bit complicated, and by the time you work out how to do it, what to do, and ensure it gets through the system while navigating it, you’re probably better off paying a professional to do that for you with the desired result at the end. A professional could be a planning consultant, an architect, or an architectural technician.
It all depends on what you’re looking to do and how complex it is as to who you might engage for your applications. There are a number of parameters to consider. But fundamentally, yes, you can make a planning application yourself, although we’d recommend staying away from it because quite often, we come in when people have made an application themselves and then realize they’re a bit lost in the process, trying to fix it.
So yes, it is better to engage someone, and using the right skilled person to do that for you is probably going to be key. If you are looking to make a planning application or have any questions about it, please do get in touch, and we may well be able to help you with this.
Essential Insights:
- Correct Form Selection: There are many different forms that can be filled in, so making sure that you choose the appropriate planning application form based on your specific circumstances is really important. Factors to take into account are whether you’re in a conservation area or the type of property you own. If you use the wrong form, you can invalidate your application.
- Validation Requirements: The validation criteria from councils are incredibly strict. Missing key details such as scale bars, north points, or required statements can lead to lengthy delays if your application is deemed invalid.
- Complexity of Supporting Documents: Your location and project type may mean that you have to provide additional documents such as Design and Access Statements or Heritage Statements. These documents can be challenging to produce without professional support.
- Potential for Delays and Rejections: Errors and omissions in the application process will mean rejections, or at the least delays. This can make the process even more time-consuming and stressful.
- Professional Assistance: You can make the application yourself, but engaging a professional such as a planning consultant, architectural technician, or architect will increase the likelihood of success and a faster turnaround time. This means less stress as a result.
Final Thoughts:
So, while you can technically submit a planning application without an architect, it really isn’t advisable. The process is full of complexities that can lead to delays and rejections if not handled correctly.
Given the very specific validation requirements and the need for precise documentation, hiring a professional is often the wisest choice and can save a lot of hassle.
If you are in the process of making, or considering, a planning application and want to have a smooth, straightforward experience, please get in touch with us here at Formed Architects.
Our experience and expertise are here to guide you through the process—every step of the way. We can discuss how we can support your project’s success.
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