Design & Planning Pack
Pack 2 of 4 · RIBA Stage 3
Once you have chosen your design option, we develop it in detail and prepare everything needed for the planning application. The Design & Planning Pack turns your concept into a coordinated design, with planning drawings and supporting documents that present your project clearly to the council.
- Develop the chosen design in detail, room by room
- Prepare a complete planning application with drawings and statements
- Coordinate the consultants your project needs
Book your free initial consultation
What the Design & Planning Pack includes
- Developed design of the chosen option: layouts, materials and key features
- Planning drawings: location and block plans, existing and proposed plans, elevations, sections and roof plan
- Design and Access Statement
- Heritage Statement where the property is listed or in a conservation area
- Planning application or Lawful Development Certificate submitted on your behalf
- Liaison with the planning officer during the application
- Coordination with consultants: structural engineer, party wall surveyor and specialists where needed
- Updated budget and timeline
How it works
- Design development: we develop your chosen option and review it with you until you are happy with every space.
- Planning package: we prepare the drawings, the Design and Access Statement and any other documents the council requires.
- Submission and follow-up: we submit the application and act as your point of contact with the council until the decision.
- Ready for the technical stage: with the planning decision in place, your project is ready for the Technical & Construction Pack.
Find out more about our planning and Building Regulations drawings service.
Full budget visibility from the first stage
From the Feasibility & Concept Design Pack onwards, you receive an indicative budget that covers not only the construction costs but also the professional and statutory fees your project will need. As the design develops, the estimate becomes progressively more detailed and accurate, so you stay in control of your budget at every stage and can make decisions with the full picture in front of you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which RIBA stage is the planning application?
Under the RIBA Plan of Work, the planning application is usually submitted at the end of Stage 3 (Spatial Coordination), once the design has been developed and coordinated.
What drawings are needed for a planning application?
Usually a location plan, a block or site plan, existing and proposed floor plans, elevations, sections and a roof plan. The council may also ask for supporting documents such as a Design and Access Statement or a Heritage Statement.
How long does planning permission take?
In England, councils aim to decide householder and minor applications within 8 weeks of a valid submission, and major applications within 13 weeks. Complex applications and listed building consent can take longer.
What is a Design and Access Statement?
A short report that explains the design principles of the proposal and how it responds to its site and context, and, where relevant, how people will access the building. It is required for some applications, including those in conservation areas.
Do you coordinate the other consultants?
Yes. We coordinate the consultants your project needs, such as the structural engineer and the party wall surveyor, so that their input is reflected in the design.
