Planning Consultants · All London Boroughs

Planning Permission, Handled End‑to‑End

From the initial consultation through to decision — we design, submit and liaise with your council, with a 98% approval rate across London.

Get a Free Quote View Our Works

The essentials

What is Planning Permission & why you need it

Planning permission means seeking authorisation from your local council to develop your property — whether extending under Permitted Development or making major changes under Full Planning Permission.

It has many categories, so understanding which application you need first time is vital. Councils require a full set of drawings — floor plans, sections, elevations and location plans — then assess your proposal against planning law, local context and precedent.

Why choose us

A fully personalised planning service

We have expert designers well versed in local planning policies across every London borough, an in-house planning consultant and strong connections with local councils.

From the first consultation we get to know your must-haves and nice-to-haves, so whatever we design is unique to your project. And if you wish, our interiors and project-management teams continue the journey — turning your approved plans into reality.

Start Your Application

What we cover

Types of Planning Permission

Householder Applications

For residential projects beyond Permitted Development — architecturally-led designs, interesting materials or irregular forms. Wrap-arounds, single & double-storey extensions and loft conversions.

Full Planning Applications

For exterior alterations to flats, changes of use class beyond Permitted Development and flat conversions. Detailed applications requiring extensive research and documentation.

Permitted Development & LDC

If your design falls within Permitted Development, a Lawful Development Certificate confirms it complies — valuable proof for the council and any future buyer.

The journey

Step-by-Step Planning Process

A defined strategy refined over a decade — thorough, but efficient.

Consultation

A free initial consultation with a planning expert, Mon–Fri 9am–6pm, to get the ball rolling.

Site Survey

An experienced surveyor visits to take a full set of measurements for the journey ahead.

Assessment & Drawings

Your lead designer works closely with you to design your space, advising throughout.

Planning Statements

We research and prepare any reports and justifications your council needs for the best chance of success.

Validation

~2 weeks for the council to screen documents; you receive an estimated decision date and your planning officer's details.

Decision

After ~8–12 weeks a decision is made — then we introduce the interiors and project-management teams.

Client reviews

What Our Clients Say

★★★★★

"Got our six-metre rear extension approval from the council within 8 weeks — no problem with the architectural drawings. Now they're doing our structural project."

— Adeyemi

★★★★★

"MM Architecture got my loft and extension approval from council. Next stage is structural and building regs to building control. Really happy with the service."

— A. Lawang

★★★★★

"Excellent service, reasonably priced, gives you an upfront cost and communication is excellent. We'd be comfortable recommending MM Architecture to anyone."

— Tahmina

★★★★★

"Extremely pleased with the input to extend our home. Very straightforward, all steps well explained. The design is stunning and the room reconfiguration so clever."

— Akbar

★★★★★

"I highly recommend MM Architecture & Structure. Impressed by the professionalism, attention to detail and promptness. Communication is excellent."

— Faisal Rahmani

★★★★★

"A very smooth and simple experience. They went above and beyond to provide a service I was absolutely happy with. Highly recommend them to everyone!"

— Maryam Azizi

Good to know

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a planning application?

If you're building, changing the use of land or a building, or extending your house, you'll usually need planning permission. The application is sent to the Local Planning Authority, which checks it complies with local guidelines before granting it. Most London boroughs take around 6–8 weeks to decide.

How far can I extend without planning permission?

Single-storey rear extensions can reach 6m (terraced/semi) or 8m (detached) under Permitted Development. Side extensions must be single-storey, no more than half the original house width and up to 3m. Loft extensions must set back ~20cm from the eaves and stay within volume limits (40m³ terraced/semi, 50m³ detached). Flats and conservation areas need full permission.

Do I need planning permission for my proposal?

Permitted Development Rights let you extend to a degree without full permission — single-storey side/rear extensions, loft conversions, porches, outbuildings and more. They don't cover larger loft conversions, flats or conservation-area properties, and plans may still need council checking.

Why choose MM Architecture over a planning consultant?

We do both design and planning consultancy, and don't charge for submission and council liaison. We design, submit, prepare building regs with our in-house engineer and guide you through every step.

Does my project need building approval?

Yes — once planning is granted, Building Regulation drawings (covering structure, fire safety, insulation, foundations, heating and ventilation) must be approved by Building Control before construction begins.

Our work