“The best investment you could make before starting to build!”
“A valuable resource on the bookshelf of anyone needing planning permission!”
Every year, thousands of homeowners apply for planning permission and come away battered and bruised.
In some cases, they go into battle poorly prepared. In others, they come up against the planners’ “computer says no” approach to decision making.
How to Get Planning Permission is a lively and accessible guide for homeowners, full of practical detail and real-life case studies. Planning is not a fair fight. Martin lays bare the strategies he learned deciding thousands of applications, for you to use. If you want to extend your home, start here.
Get your copy
Paperback, Kindle and audiobook (narrated by Jack Jacobs)
Read it free first
Martin has put some of the book online. Start with these.
- Free to read
Preface
Why Martin wrote the book, and who it is for.
Read it free - Free to read
Introduction
What is wrong with UK planning, and who is to blame?
Read it free - Free to read
Step 1
Hire the right designer, and spot the charlatans.
Read it free - Free to read
Planning resources
The links and tools Martin recommends, all in one place.
Read it free
The 6-step programme
The book takes you from first sketch to final decision. You’ll learn how to:
Choose the right designer for your project.
Exploit permitted development rights, where permission isn’t needed at all.
Understand how planning decisions are really made.
Apply tactically and effectively.
Deal with a refusal, by resubmitting or appealing.
Avoid the agony of planning enforcement.
What readers say
“Martin has managed not only to do that, but distill years of knowledge into a digestible format.”
“This is a useful book about the whole complicated world of the UK planning system.”
“Section 1 on ‘choosing the right designer’ is worth the purchase price of this book alone.”
“Essential if applying for planning permission. Full of information, interesting and informative.”
Inside the book
The full contents. Open a chapter to see what it covers.
1Preface
5Introduction: What is wrong with UK planning and who is to blame?
What is the planning system? Pity the planners. Blame the system. Computer says no. Blame the housing crisis? Sorry, dear reader, but it is also your fault.
Read it free15Step 1: Hire the right designer
How do I find the perfect designer? How do I spot the charlatans? Do I need an architect? Should I hire a planning consultant? Form v function. Key questions to ask a prospective designer.
Read it free33Step 2: Exploit permitted development rights
What permitted development rights are, the GPDO, the main rights for householders and their pitfalls, when they don’t apply, why not to take advice from your builder or your neighbour’s build, certificates of lawfulness, and what to do if your proposal isn’t PD.
75Step 3: Understand how planning decisions are really made
Planning policies and other material considerations. How applications are assessed in practice. The most popular householder developments.
121Step 4: Apply tactically and effectively
The nuts and bolts of applying, the frustrations of validation, managing your case officer, neighbour objections, the pre-app trap, expensive reports, consultees, lobbying councillors, the planning committee, the withdrawal method, conditions, obligations and CIL.
149Step 5: Be prepared to resubmit or appeal
Read the officer’s report, ask for a meeting, resubmit or appeal, write the appeal statement, manage your appeal, the decision, winning an award of costs, and appeal FAQs.
173Step 6: Beware of planning enforcement
What triggers an investigation and how it works, planning contravention notices, retrospective applications, the power of an enforcement notice, the 4-year and 10-year rules, why you should (almost) always appeal, listed buildings and protected trees.
195Planning hacks: a summary of my top tips
The best advice from all six steps, on a few pages.
203Glossary
215Planning resources
About the author
Martin decided thousands of planning applications in various councils before founding Just Planning, the consultancy that helps homeowners and property investors beat the planners. He writes about planning for The Times, The Telegraph and Build It magazine.
More about MartinNeed help with your own project?
Refused permission or facing enforcement? Martin’s consultancy, Just Planning, can help. For anything else, Martin offers bespoke advice.