Southern Oak Planning Services
Planning Services for Homes, Land & Property
Planning a property project often starts long before drawings are submitted to the council. We can help establish what is likely to be possible, identify the right planning route and coordinate the professional work needed to take an application forward.
Our planning service is available for projects beyond our oak buildings, including extensions, conversions, new homes, development land, commercial property and changes of use.
Start with feasibility
Before the drawings, find out what is possible
It often makes sense to investigate the planning prospects of a site before committing significant money to drawings, reports and a full application. A feasibility appraisal looks at the position early, so you can decide whether and how to proceed.
Planning Feasibility Appraisal
£250 + VAT
£300 including VAT
The appraisal can consider matters such as planning history, local planning policy, site constraints, permitted development rights, conservation areas, listed building considerations, Green Belt where relevant, neighbouring development, the likely planning route, obvious planning risks and recommended next steps.
What are you planning?
What are you planning?
The planning service isn't limited to oak-framed buildings. We can help with a much wider range of residential, land and property projects.
Extend My Home
Single and two-storey extensions, side and rear extensions, loft alterations and other changes to your home.
Build Something New
New homes, replacement dwellings, garages, outbuildings and development opportunities.
Convert a Property
Residential, agricultural and commercial buildings where a different layout or use is being considered.
Change How a Property Is Used
Planning advice and applications where land or buildings are moving from one use to another.
Work on a Listed or Protected Property
Projects involving listed buildings, conservation areas and other heritage considerations.
Resolve a Planning Issue
Retrospective applications, planning conditions, previous refusals and other situations that need professional review.
Planning services
Planning support for more than oak buildings
A broad range of residential, land and commercial planning work can be coordinated through Southern Oak. Specialist reports and consultants may be separately required depending on the project.
Specialist reports and consultants may be separately required depending on the project. Where additional work is needed, this is identified and discussed before it is commissioned wherever possible.
How it works
How the planning process works
Tell us about the project
Send us the property address and an outline of what you would like to do. Photographs, existing drawings and any previous planning information are useful if you have them.
Check the planning position
For many projects the sensible starting point is a feasibility appraisal. This gives us a clearer understanding of the site, relevant policy and the most appropriate route forward.
Prepare the drawings
Where drawings are required, the existing property and proposed works can be documented ready for the relevant application.
Prepare and submit the application
The required planning information is assembled and the application submitted to the relevant local planning authority.
Progress the application
The application moves through the council's planning process and any queries are dealt with in accordance with the agreed service.
Service ladder
Start where your project needs us
Use the level of help appropriate for your project. Not every stage is required.
Planning Feasibility
Understand the planning position before committing to the full application process.
Drawings
Existing and proposed plans, elevations and other drawings appropriate to the application.
Planning Application
Preparation and submission of the application and supporting planning information.
Supporting Information
Additional planning statements, heritage information or specialist reports where required.
Technical Design
Structural calculations, building regulations information and other technical services can be coordinated separately where needed.
Planning an oak garage, gazebo or garden building?
We also have dedicated planning guidance for Southern Oak buildings, including permitted development, planning applications, boundary considerations and the planning process.
View Oak Building PlanningWho we can help
Who we can help
Homeowners
Extensions, conversions, outbuildings, alterations and new homes.
Landowners
Development potential, plots, replacement dwellings and land use.
Developers
Residential schemes, conversions and development opportunities.
Businesses
Commercial property, change of use and development projects.
Professional support
The right advice at the right stage
Southern Oak coordinates the planning process with experienced planning, architectural and technical professionals according to the requirements of the project.
Some projects are relatively straightforward. Others may require additional input such as structural engineering, ecology, heritage, drainage, highways or other specialist reports. Where additional work is required, this should be identified and discussed before it is commissioned wherever possible.
Planning support is coordinated by Southern Oak and delivered with experienced planning and architectural professionals. Southern Oak remains your point of contact throughout.
Planning services FAQ
Common questions
No. This service is available for a wider range of property, land and development projects, including extensions, conversions, new homes, change of use, development land and commercial property. Our oak building planning guidance remains available separately.
It is often the sensible first step where the planning position is uncertain, or before you spend considerably more on drawings and a full application. The appraisal helps establish what is likely to be possible and which route is appropriate.
No. Planning decisions are made by the local planning authority. The appraisal gives you an informed view of the likely position and the risks before you commit to the cost of an application.
Yes. Drawings can be coordinated as part of the wider service where they are required, from existing and proposed plans through to elevations and other supporting drawings.
Yes, where this forms part of the agreed planning service. The application is prepared and submitted to the relevant local planning authority on your behalf.
Yes. Previous decisions can be reviewed and the appropriate next step considered, whether that is a revised application, an appeal or a different approach altogether.
Yes, subject to reviewing the circumstances of the case. Retrospective applications can be prepared and submitted where the works have already been carried out.
No. Some works may fall within permitted development rights or use other planning routes. The circumstances of the individual property and proposal need to be checked before any application is made.
Have a property or planning idea? Start by finding out what is possible.
Tell us what you are considering and where the property is. If the planning position needs investigating first, we can start with a feasibility appraisal before you commit to the next stage.