The planning process determines whether proposals can be carried out, and considers use, appearance, parking, and so on.

By far the most common type of application is for change of use – for example, from a shop to an office. The application may have a site plan attached to it, to tell you where it is positioned, but may tell you nothing about the layout, so ask for additional details if you need to.

Many applications will be for alterations and extensions, and of course, there will also be applications for brand new developments.

Level of detail

Not all planning applications have to be accompanied by detailed plans. However, plans that need to be approved in detail by a planning committee or by planning officers may include some or all of the following:

• floor plans – used to show the spaces inside and around the proposed building

• elevations – provide a vertical view of the building and are used to show the exterior, or interior, aspects of the faces of walls of the building

• cross-sections – these are given a reference letter like ‘Section AA’, and arrows are shown on the relevant floor plans at the point at which the cross-section is taken

• perspective – used to show the building in three dimensions; created by merging the information from the plans and the elevations into one image to create the view that would be seen from one particular viewpoint

• site plan – indicates the parking layout and general access to the building

Some planning authorities insist on access-related facilities and provisions to be clearly indicated, such as accessible parking, access routes and entrances. Others may be less demanding.

If a plan is drawn to a large scale – as is often the case in the early stages of design development – it may be difficult to check door openings and corridor widths. This may be because they have not been finalised at such an early stage. More detailed information should become available as the design progresses. However, if you suspect that sufficient space has not been provided to allow adequate access to or through an area, do not be afraid to query a plan in its early stages.

For more information on the Planning process, visit the Planning section.