Phase 1 · Planning & Permissions · Task 05 of 17
Prior Approval for a Larger Home Extension
The prior approval process for extending beyond standard PD limits (up to 6m or 8m). Covers the £249 fee, 42-day timeline, neighbour consultation, and what to do if refused.
Prior approval refusals have among the highest appeal success rates of any planning application type. The reason is consistent: councils apply tests they have no legal authority to use, and appeal inspectors correct those errors.
That matters for you because the Larger Home Extension scheme is one of the best tools available to homeowners who want to extend beyond standard permitted development depth limits. Up to 6 metres for a semi-detached or terraced house. Up to 8 metres for a detached house. No full planning application needed. But you do need prior approval, and understanding exactly how that process works is the difference between a smooth approval and months of unnecessary delay.
Do this first
This guide builds on the PD framework covered in Permitted Development Rules. If you haven't confirmed that your extension meets all other PD conditions (height, curtilage, materials), start there first.
What this guide covers
- 01When You Need Prior Approval
- 02What It Costs
- 03What to Submit
- 04The 42-Day Timeline
- 05What Councils Can (and Cannot) Assess
- 06The 45-Degree Rule
- 07Common Refusal Reasons (and Why Many Are Wrong)
- 08How to Appeal
- 09Before You Submit: Practical Tips
- 10Who Cannot Use This Route
- 11The Bottom Line
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