Wakefield planning applications: what happens after your project is approved?
When planners approve your Wakefield planning applications, you reach a major milestone in your dream home journey.
But this approval isn’t the end of the process – it’s just the start of the next stage.
Our extension architects still have plenty of work to complete behind the scenes before the builders can begin.
Meeting conditions after your Wakefield planning applications are approved
Once your Wakefield planning applications are approved, and you’ve celebrated the news, our team begins preparing detailed information for the project.
The council normally attaches specific conditions to every planning application. These differ depending on the size and scale of the project but they commonly include:
- Exact material specifications, such as the colour and manufacturer of a wall and roof materials
- More detailed information on landscaping design
- Intrusive survey of the below ground conditions
In some cases, we arrange specialist surveys and then collate all the required information before sending it to local authority planners for sign off.
Think of a planning application as an agreement in principle. Once it’s got the green light – and we are experts in securing planning permission – it’s time to get granular and provide all the crucial details the planners request.
Understanding building regulations for your Wakefield planning applications
Planning permission focuses on what your single storey rear extension, modern barn conversion or new build property will look like from the outside. However, building regulations define exactly how your builders must construct this vision. There are thousands of building regulations to consider and they will touch on topics such as:
- Insulation specifications
- Structural calculations
- Smoke alarms, extractor fans and fire doors
- Construction of foundations, walls and floors.
There are many more to consider. Our Wakefield architects will collate all this information and bring in additional expert advice wherever a project needs their input. These may include structural engineers, for example.
Even if your extension or project does not require planning permission, you will still very likely need to gain building regulations approval. We submit all the technicalities to the Building Inspectorate to approve the next stage of your project.
Creating detailed designs for your Wakefield planning applications
Last but not least, it’s time for the detailed design work to begin. This is the fun part!
We sit down with clients to discuss all the key things which will make a huge difference to the enjoyment of their new space. This includes considering:
- Lighting layouts, where you will use spotlights or pendant lights
- Where plug sockets are going around the house – crucial for any home workers and the Christmas tree
- The amount of tiling in your bathroom
- Flooring types in each room
- Whether the client will take on some of the work as DIY
A detailed design is useful for the client as well as the builders. It builds a detailed picture which clarifies who is doing what. This avoids confusion on site and also allows builders to provide a more accurate costing for their work.
In some substantial properties, clients want to add dedicated facilities, such as a cinema room. We will speak to specialists in those cases to gather all the information needed. Then we assemble it into a tender package.
How long after planning approval can builders start work?
Timescales for this process do depend on the scale of the project. However, at our architects in Leeds it usually takes only a few weeks.
It’s then time to get quotes from builders, assess them and organise site visits before choosing one to proceed with. We have a list of recommended builders we work with regularly if clients need guidance. Remember, the cheapest builder isn’t always the best option, particularly if they are going to take significantly longer than others to complete the work. Paying more for a builder who could complete the project sooner could mean significant savings on rental costs and less to pay in the long run.
Whether you are adding a small extension or building a significant new property, the three-step process detailed above remains the same.
It’s crucial to understand what happens after your Wakefield planning applications are approved. Our experienced architects in Wakefield will guide you from planning to completion — ensuring we manage every detail smoothly.
Navigate your home project, from start to finish
Want to find out more about what happens after planning permission is granted? We’re always happy to chat about the process and how our architects in Yorkshire have helped hundreds of homeowners.
Just reach out to the team for a no obligation quote.
