Planning Options
Planning Options Explained
​
Before you apply for planning permission, you need to know if you even should.
​
Many home projects don’t start with planning permission at all — they fall under Permitted Development or Prior Approval instead. Choosing the wrong route is one of the biggest causes of delay, refusals, extra cost, and unnecessary stress.
​
This course shows you how the planning system actually works, how the three routes fit together, and how to work out which one applies to your property — before drawings are finalised or money is committed.
​
Clear steps. No jargon. Just the right starting point.
Introduction to the Programme
Step-by-Step for Homeowners
Course Overview
-
Module 1: When the council need to be involved
-
Module 2: Permitted development explained
-
Module 3: Prior approval explained
-
Module 4: How to check what applies to your property
-
Module 5: Common planning mistakes
-
Module 6: What to do next
​
By the end of this Essentials course, you’ll understand the different planning routes available, how they fit together, and how to choose the most appropriate option for your project based on process, risk, and long-term outcomes — rather than assumptions or guesswork.
Course Content
Module 1
​
1. Module Introduction
2. What is Planning Permission?
3. What Planning Permission does not cover
4. When Planning permission is required
5. Why Homeowners get it wrong
6. The 3 possible routes
7. Key takeaway's
​
Module 2
​
1. What you can build without Permitted Development
2. What Permitted Development means
3. Why Permitted Development exists
4. Types of work often covered
5. When Permitted Development does not apply
6. Common Permitted Development mistakes
7. Lawful Development Certificate
8. Key takeaway's
​
Module 3
​​
1. Prior approval explained
2. What prior approval means
3. When prior approval is required
4. What the council can asses
5. Why prior approval causes confusion
6. Common prior approval mistakes
7. How it fits the system
8. Key takwaway's
​
Module 4
​
1. How to check what applies to your property
2. Identify the property type
3. Check for restrictions
4. What's already been build
5. The original house
6. Match the route
7. Decide on certainty
8. Warning signs
9. Key takeaway's
​
Module 5
​
1. Common planning mistakes
2. Wrong route
3. Measuring errors
4. Informal advice
5. Ignoring conditions
6. Planning vs Building Control
7. Build first ask later
8. Key takeaway's
Module 6
​​
1. What to do next
2. If it's Permitted Development
3. If Prior Approval applies
4. If Planning Permission is required
5. When to get help
6. Planning vs Building Control reminder
7. Biggest thing to avoid
8. Final takeaway's