What planning drawings actually are, how they differ from Building Regulations drawings and structural calculations, and which your project needs.
From £750"Planning drawings" is one of the most common phrases homeowners search for when starting a project — and one of the most confused. Here's a clear breakdown of what planning drawings are, what they're not, and what else your project is likely to need.
Planning drawings show what you want to build: existing and proposed floor plans, elevations, and often a site or block plan showing the property in context. These are submitted to your local council, either for full planning permission or as part of a Permitted Development / Lawful Development Certificate application. Planning drawings focus on appearance, scale and impact on neighbours — not on how the building will structurally stand up.
Once planning is approved (or isn't needed), Building Regulations drawings take the same design further — showing construction detail: wall build-ups, insulation, fire escape routes, drainage and ventilation. These are what your builder actually builds from, and what Building Control inspects on site.
Neither planning nor Building Regulations drawings include the engineering proof that beams, foundations and load-bearing changes are safe — that's a separate structural calculation package, usually produced alongside the Building Regulations drawings.
Planning drawings show what you want to build — the layout, elevations and how it sits on the site — and are what your local council reviews for planning permission. Building Regulations drawings show how it will actually be built (structure, insulation, fire safety, drainage) and are what Building Control checks once work starts. Most projects need both.
Many single-storey extensions and loft conversions fall under Permitted Development and don't need full planning permission, but there are limits on size, height and position — and Permitted Development rights can be removed on some properties. We can advise which route your project needs.
Yes — our architectural drawings service covers planning and Building Regulations drawings, and our structural engineering service covers the calculations, so both can be handled by one team.
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