Planning Permission vs Building Regulations: What Is the Difference?

Planning considers whether the proposed development is acceptable in its setting. The question is not simply whether the construction can be carried out.

Some proposals need an application; others may fall within permitted development rights subject to applicable conditions and restrictions. Do not assume a neighbour’s extension establishes the position for your own property. Check the actual proposal with the relevant planning authority or adviser.

Building regulations concern standards applying to the work. Citizens Advice identifies extensions, new buildings and various controlled services and fittings as work that may need to comply, and explains the role of building control approval.

A planning decision does not establish that the separate building regulations requirements have been met.

Treat these as separate questions in your project checklist. You may need to establish both the planning position and the building control route, even where someone has said the work does not need a planning application.

Other permissions or responsibilities may also need checking. Ask your professional team what applies rather than treating this article as an exhaustive list.

Before work begins, clarify who is advising on each requirement, preparing information, submitting applications and responding to requests.

Do not assume a building quotation automatically includes design, planning advice, application fees or every professional service. Get the scope and responsibilities recorded clearly.

For Birmingham, Walsall, Solihull or another West Midlands location, use the council responsible for the actual site rather than assuming one authority covers the whole region.

When contacting Blue Curve Build, explain what approvals or professional advice you already have. We can discuss the proposed building scope without implying that unresolved approvals have been granted.