What we prepare for your certificate application
A certificate of lawfulness application is judged on evidence, not on design merit. The council compares what you propose against the permitted development limits, so the drawings must show dimensions, heights and distances clearly. A typical package from us includes:
- Existing and proposed floor plans of the house
- Existing and proposed elevations showing heights and materials
- A location plan and a site or block plan with boundaries
- Roof plans or sections where eaves, ridge or volume matter
- The completed application forms, submitted through the Planning Portal
Most of this starts with a measured site survey, because the limits are tight and a few hundred millimetres can change the answer. The same records become the existing plans and elevations used in the submission.
When an application is worth making
Permitted development does not require a certificate, and many homeowners build without one. A lawful development certificate becomes useful when you want certainty before paying a builder, when a mortgage lender or buyer's solicitor is likely to ask for proof, or when the proposal sits close to a limit and you would rather the council confirmed it in writing.
It is also a sensible step where the planning history is unclear, for example if earlier owners extended the house or a condition on an estate may have removed some rights. If you are still unsure whether your project qualifies at all, our guide on permitted development explains the general principles.
Proposed and existing use certificates
Most of our householder work involves a certificate for proposed use or development: confirming that something you intend to build would be lawful. There is a separate type for existing use or development, which asks the council to confirm that something already in place is lawful. That route relies on evidence about the history of the property, so we will talk through what you hold before suggesting it.
If work has already happened and it may need consent, a lawful development certificate is not always the right answer. In that case our retrospective planning applications service may be more appropriate.
How the process runs with us
It starts with a free on-site consultation with no-obligation quotation, where we look at the house and what you would like to build. We then survey, draw the proposal against the relevant limits and explain any points where the design is close to a boundary or height threshold. Once you are happy, we prepare the forms and submit the application. The local council decides the outcome; our role is to present the proposal accurately and respond to any queries from the officer.
If the council indicates that the proposal goes beyond permitted development, we can review the design with you or move to a full householder application through our planning applications service.
Background reading
This page covers our drawing and application service. For a plain explanation of what a certificate is and how it differs from planning permission, read our guide to lawful development certificates.
We work across Hampshire, roughly 40 miles around our Whiteley office, with occasional projects in London. See the areas we cover.
Frequently asked questions
What drives the cost of a lawful development certificate?
There are two parts. The council application fee is set nationally, so it is the same for comparable applications wherever you live; check the current fee when you apply. The drawing cost depends on the project: the size and complexity of the house, whether a measured survey is needed and how many drawings the proposal requires. We confirm this in your quotation.
How long does a certificate of lawfulness take?
The council sets out its own target for deciding the application, and timescales vary between authorities and with workload. Preparing the drawings comes first, so allow time for the survey and drawing stage before submission.
Do I need an LDC for permitted development?
Not legally. Permitted development rights apply without a certificate, but an LDC gives formal confirmation, which many homeowners find useful for peace of mind, for builders and when the house is eventually sold.
Can the same drawings be used for building regulations?
The survey and existing drawings can be reused, but building regulations need more technical detail, so separate building regulations drawings are usually prepared afterwards.