Applying for planning permission can feel like a big and overwhelming step, especially if it’s the first time you’ve done it.
Although in theory, anyone can submit a planning application, there are many steps to consider and multiple areas where an architect can add value to your planning application.
Before we break down how an architect can add value to your planning application, let’s take a look at whether you need an architect for planning permission.
Do I Need An Architect For Planning Permission?
Planning permission is ‘the approval given by the local authority under the power given to it by the 1948 Town and Country Planning Act to allow the building of, or changes to, a building’.
In short, it’s not a legal requirement to hire an architect when applying for planning permission.
That said, having the expertise and support of an architect makes navigating the planning permission process significantly smoother and can save you a lot of money in the long run.
Architects are highly skilled and experienced in creating architectural designs that are sure to be approved, reducing the likelihood of costly delays and having to appeal a planning application that’s been refused as a result of poor planning.
To learn more about the benefits of hiring an architect, check out our blog here.
How An Architect Adds Value To A Planning Application
If you’re considering hiring an architect, you might be curious to know how an architect adds value to planning applications.
Architects add value to a planning application in that they:
Offer years of experience in identifying opportunities
Offer critical assessment
Specialise in visualisation
Allow you to save time and money in the long run
1. Offer Years Of Experience In Identifying Opportunities
Architects can add a wealth of value to your planning application in that they have years of experience in identifying opportunities.
Due to their wealth of knowledge, reputable architects can identify opportunities in your property that you might not have noticed or deemed a possibility.
Architects are problem solvers. Whether it’s making the most of the space you have or finding a way to overcome an issue, they know how to independently identify opportunities to make your project a success.
By having them on board, then, you can create a planning application that makes the most of the property without the risk of planning being refused. (Example below showing the original, historical layout floor plan, site c.1915. We used this knowledge to create a narrative that supported the existing characteristics of the Edwardian home and new additions.)
2. Offer Critical Assessment
A way in which architects add value to a planning application is by offering critical assessment.
A good architect will be able to produce multiple iterations of your project and communicate the variations with an assessment of each one.
Your architect will be able to collaborate with you to create the iteration that works best for you and your lifestyle and will have plenty of positive client testimonials to assure you they can complete the project to a high standard.
Without an architect and their expertise, it’s likely that there will be iterations and ground that you won’t be able to cover when putting your planning application together.
3. Specialise In Visualisation
Another way in which architects add value to a planning application is their ability to visualise an achievable and successful renovation project.
You might have an idea of what you want your renovation to look like but lack the ability or software to visualise it.
An architect spends a lot of their time visualising projects from start to finish and will be able to prepare and deliver 3D sketches quickly to assess proposals.
This adds value to every project, especially projects involving multiple heights and levels that require careful planning and consideration.
While there is free 3D modelling software available, these designs are never going to be as comprehensive as an architectural design produced by an experienced architect.
4. Allow You To Save Time & Money In The Long Run
Lastly, architects add value to your planning application in that they save you time and money in the long run.
A good architect will be experienced and familiar with the planning process. They will have a strong awareness of what will and won’t be accepted, and thus will be able to anticipate any issues that may arise and the planners will consider.
This can save you a significant amount of time and money, helping you to come up with a strategy for the project that will give it the best chance of planning permission being approved.
If you don’t hire an architect or receive professional input, the likelihood of you running into issues you might not have considered is significantly higher. In turn, this can result in costly delays.
How Long Does Planning Permission Take To Be Approved?
The answer to this question is that it depends on the project and the complexity of the application.
While the majority of planning applications are decided within 8 weeks, larger or more complex applications can take longer.
As each project is different, the time it takes for your planning permission to be approved will be determined by the type and complexity of the project you’re undertaking.
Hopefully this article has given you a wider understanding of how an architect adds value to a planning application.
We are Deer Architects. For inquiries or questions, please contact us today using the form on our website, by email (ling@deerarchitects.co.uk) or on 07743121987​ to discuss your upcoming project.
Written by Jemima Thomas for Deer Architects, a business providing bespoke architectural services in Cardiff and South Wales.