Planning Guides
Practical guides on planning supporting statements, NPPF policy, and getting your application right first time.
Planning Consultants
Planabl generates policy-referenced planning documents in under 60 seconds. Here's what the output actually looks like, and how the time saving adds up across a typical caseload.
Heritage
Extending a listed building requires both planning permission and listed building consent — and a heritage statement for both. This guide covers the Section 16(2) statutory duty, what the NPPF harm tests mean in practice, and what conservation officers look for in a heritage statement for an extension.
Heritage
Not every conservation area application needs a standalone heritage statement — but many do. Find out when one is required, what the Section 72 duty means for your proposal, and how to structure your heritage assessment for a conservation area application.
Design and Access Statements
A full annotated Design and Access Statement example for a mixed-use development in a conservation area — with commentary on what each of the six sections must cover and the most common mistakes to avoid in the access and heritage sections.
Heritage
A heritage statement assesses the significance of a heritage asset and the impact of proposed works on that significance. Find out when one is required, how Historic England's four-value framework works, the difference between substantial and less than substantial harm, and what the NPPF Chapter 16 tests require.
Pre-Application Advice
A pre-application enquiry lets you seek informal planning advice from the local planning authority before submitting a formal application. Find out when to use one, how much it costs, what to include, and how to get a useful response from the LPA.
Design and Access Statements
A Design and Access Statement is required for major applications, applications in conservation areas and other designated areas, and listed building consent. Find out when you need one, what the six sections must cover, and how to write an access section that satisfies the Equality Act 2010.
Explainer
Not sure whether your application needs one? This guide explains when a supporting statement is formally required, when it's strongly advisable, and what happens if you submit without one.
Change of use
Change of use applications engage policy questions that plans and drawings alone can't answer. Here's what your statement must cover — sequential test, employment land, impact assessment, and the NPPF framework.
Change of use
Converting a commercial or office building to residential use? Here's what your statement needs to cover — Class MA prior approval, employment land policy, housing standards, noise, and affordability.
New dwellings
New dwelling applications require more than design and amenity — you need to establish the principle of development, address housing policy, and engage the NPPF presumption. Here's how.
Householder applications
The ancillary use argument is the make-or-break issue for most annexe applications. Here's what your statement needs to cover — permitted development limits, ancillary use, design, and garden space.
London planning
The London Plan 2021 forms part of the statutory development plan for all 33 London boroughs. Here's which policies apply to common application types and how to reference them correctly.
Heritage & Conservation
Conservation area applications are assessed against a statutory duty under Section 72 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 — not just NPPF policy. Here's exactly what your supporting statement needs to address.
Householder applications
Many loft conversions are permitted development — but when yours needs a full application, here's what the supporting statement must cover: design, dormer set-backs, neighbour amenity, and conservation area considerations.
Guide
A planning supporting statement is one of the most important documents in a planning application — but many applicants don't know what to include. This guide covers everything: structure, policy references, and the key arguments that persuade planning officers.
Example
See a full, real-world planning supporting statement for a single-storey rear extension in London Borough of Hackney. Annotated with commentary explaining why each section works and what planning officers are looking for.
Explainer
Not sure whether your planning application needs a supporting statement? This explainer covers what a planning supporting statement is, when you need one, and what happens if you don't include one.
Householder applications
Garage conversions are often permitted development — but when they're not, here's what your statement needs to cover: external alterations, parking loss, conservation area impacts, and neighbour amenity.
Heritage & listed buildings
Works to a listed building require both planning permission and listed building consent. Here's what your statement must cover — significance, NPPF heritage policy, justification, and minimising harm.
Planning appeals & refusals
Received a planning refusal? This guide explains how to read the reasons, whether to appeal or resubmit, and how a stronger supporting statement can make the difference on a revised application.
Change of use
Converting a property to a House in Multiple Occupation requires planning permission in most areas. Here's what your statement needs to cover — HMO concentration, parking, design, and management.
Permitted development
If your project falls within permitted development rights, do you need a supporting statement? A clear answer — plus when a statement can still add real value even without a full planning application.
Change of use
Converting a house into flats always requires planning permission. Here's what your statement needs to cover — housing mix policy, space standards, amenity space, parking, and external appearance.