Are you planning to undertake a significant home extension or renovation project?
Or even construct an entirely new building on your property?
You’ll need to obtain both planning permission and Building Regulations approval.
Although they sound similar, these two types of approval require different kinds of drawings. Each is produced for a unique purpose and to show the relevant authorities that your project conforms to various rules and regulations.
Planning drawings are key to obtaining planning permission through your local council. Once you have planning permission, it’s time to get Buildings Regulations approval, which requires a separate set of drawings.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through planning drawings and Building Regulations drawings. Both are vital cogs in the home extension process. We’ll put them side by side to explain the differences and the importance of each.
Planning drawings
First, planning drawings. Planning drawings are conceptual drawings.
They outline the proposed development and how it will impact the surrounding environment.
Planning drawings get submitted to councils as part of your planning permission application and help them assess whether the project is suitable for the local area’s policies, appearance, and that it doesn’t negatively impact nature or neighbours.
In general, planning drawings include a site plan, floor plans, elevations and a section drawing. They might also mention a design and access statement – an additional piece of text that describes why certain design approaches have been chosen and how the project complies with planning permission law.
Note that planning drawings aren’t detailed construction drawings. They’re ‘conceptual’ only, intended to show the general outline of a building. They won’t contain all the necessary details needed to actually build the house.
That’s where Building Regulations drawings come in.
Building Regulations drawings
Once you’ve obtained planning permission from your council and been given the go-ahead, it’s time for Building Regulations drawings. These detailed technical drawings show how the proposed development meets the requirements of the Building Regulations, the national law on construction safety and efficiency.
You’ll submit Building Regulations drawings to the council before construction begins.
Building Regulations drawings should include a much more detailed floor plan, elevations and sections than the planning drawings. They should also closely detail the information needed for construction, including wall sections, beam calculations, stair details and insulation types.
Building Regulations drawings ensure your project meets the national standards for health, safety, welfare and energy use. Although it’s yet another hurdle for to leap over, a well-thought-out drawing and plan will almost always receive approval.
The importance of planning and Building Regulations drawings
As we’ve seen so far in this article, planning drawings and Building Regulations drawings are both essential to the home extension construction process. Planning drawings ensure that your general design is in keeping with the local area. In contrast, Building Regulations drawings are more specific, guaranteeing that the new or altered building is safe and kind to the environment.
In fact, the two are mutually dependent. You’ll never get to the Building Regulations process without planning drawings. And there’s no point completing planning drawings without also investing in Building Regulations drawings.
In other words, without planning permission (stemming from your application and planning drawings), you can’t even think about construction. Without the approval of the Building Regulations (of which the drawings play a significant part), a project might not meet legal requirements. It could be unsafe to work on or live in.
How Design Living Space can help
Planning drawings and Building Regulations drawings serve different purposes, but both are critical to starting construction. Understanding the differences between these two types of drawings ensures your home extension or renovation project breezes through its permission processes, meeting all legal criteria. As a result, you’ll be living in your finished space before you know it.
Design Living Space is a team of dedicated industry experts with over 15 years of experience. We specialise in producing planning and Building Regulations drawings, taking all the stress off your shoulders. Alongside this step, we’ll assist you in managing the entire planning permission and structural calculations processes if required. If needed, we’ll also connect you with trusted local trades who will bring your ultimate design into reality.
You’re welcome to contact us for more information about Design Living Space or to book a commitment-free appointment.
Our team looks forward to hearing about the next project and learning how you want to modify your home to enhance your living space.