Permitted Development Advice
& Lawful Development Certificate Support

Not Sure If You Need Planning Permission?

Some projects can be carried out under permitted development, but the rules are detailed and depend on the property, location and exact scope of work.

Architectural Vista Designs helps homeowners understand whether permitted development may apply and prepares drawings for lawful development certificate applications where formal confirmation is useful.

Getting the route clear early can help avoid uncertainty before you invest in detailed design or construction planning.

Discuss Your Permitted Development Route

What We Can Help You With

Clear advice and drawings for homeowners who need confidence before starting work.

Permitted Development Advice

Guidance on whether your extension, loft or alteration may fit within permitted development rules.

Lawful Development Certificates

Drawings and support for certificate applications where formal confirmation is needed.

Planning Route Clarity

Practical advice if the project may need full planning permission instead.

Clarity Before You Commit

Permitted development can be useful, but it is not always straightforward. Property type, previous alterations, location and design details can all affect whether the rules apply.

We help you understand the position and prepare clear drawings so the proposal can be assessed properly.

Permitted development checks for home projects
Lawful development certificate drawings
Advice where full planning may be required

What Affects Permitted Development?

The details matter, so these issues need checking before relying on permitted development.

Property Type

Houses, flats, listed buildings and converted properties can be treated differently.

Location

Conservation areas and other designations may restrict permitted development rights.

Previous Changes

Past extensions or roof alterations can affect what allowance remains.

Proposal Detail

Height, depth, materials and position all need to comply with the rules.

A Clear, Simple Process

We help you understand the route before drawings or applications move too far ahead.

01. Consultation

We discuss the property, proposal and why confirmation may be needed.

02. Assessment

We review key rules, constraints and the likely planning route.

03. Drawings

We prepare the drawings needed for certificate or planning purposes.

04. Next Steps

You receive clear guidance on the application route and what happens next.

Why Choose Architectural Vista Designs

Straightforward advice for homeowners who want clarity before starting work.

20+ Years of Expertise

Residential design and home improvement experience across a wide range of domestic schemes.

800+ Projects Delivered

A proven track record across extensions, conversions, planning and technical drawings.

Straightforward Advice

Clear guidance on feasibility, planning routes and realistic next steps before you commit.

End-to-End Support

Support from early concept through to the drawings needed for the next stage.

Local Knowledge

Experience across Leicestershire, Warwickshire and surrounding planning contexts.

Practical Home Design

Designs focused on how the home will work for the people living in it.

What Clients Say

Mark has helped me secure two separate Planning Permissions, both achieved first-time without issues – a real pro at what’s required. He’s always on-hand to deal with the inevitable matters that can arise once the build gets underway, and has great contacts and resources to get tasks completed well. Altogether everything one needs in the building and development game. Thank you Mark at Architectural Vista Designs

Andy McGarrick

Mark and his team did the two planning applications for our pharmacy refurbishment located in a conservation area in London. Mark was very responsive and managed to obtain the decision we required from the council.

Mahyar Saremi

Mark helped us get planning consent for a change of use from offices to residential. He produced detailed plans, and all the necessary supporting documents, then managed what turned to be quite a complex process. It was great to have a real professional on our team.

Rob Waller

Mark was brilliant from start to finish, I was struggling and had some delays and curve balls thrown my way but I gave mark a ring he came out the next day!!! 😲😃 and was brilliant explained everything and dealt with all the paperwork and things that im not good at supplied drawings and was always there if I had any questions!!!

Top work mark!!!

Jordan Pratt

Very professional pricing high quality detailed plans. Provided second to none advice and support with both structural engineers drawings and build over plans for Severn Trent. Recommended Quadrant building inspectors and supported the build to certificate of completion.

Steve Lewin

Mark offers a complete service for the process of design to planning approval and beyond. He is a decent bloke , a good competent designer and very practical. His rates are reasonable and his work to a high standard. He has completed a house design with all the approvals for us and we are pleased with the outcome. Use him he is good which is rare these days !! Good luck Mark

steve wooldridge

Mark helped us from start to finish , he was only a phone call away if we needed advise and kept us up to date with the progress of our case every step of the way, would not hesitate to use him again should we need to.

We would absolutely recommend him.

Samantha Rathbone

Mark has been absolutely brilliant in what we asked him to do for us. His attention to detail and patience when we made changes was outstanding. Communication was excellent all the way through. Great value for money, would highly recommend his services and will be keeping his details for the future.

Andy Bean

I would highly recommend Mark.

I was out of my depth with what should have been a very simply planning application, My attempt at this was declined. So, my search begun to seek professional help, with one phone call I was put at ease. Mark took control and explained things in simple terms. He visited and submitted drawings along with whatever else was needed in a very timely and efficient manner.

I am very happy to now be able to continue with our alterations to our outside space with an accepted planning application now confirmed. Thank you Mark

Maria Peploe

Mark was extremely helpful with helping us design our garage conversion and his professional expertise was invaluable. He kept in contact throughout the process and gave us good sound advice. He is a pleasure to do business with and would use his services again if we ever need to . Mark was very pleasant and polite. We now look forward to his plans becoming a reality

Janine Mander

Selected Projects & Case Studies

New Build House Design in Earl Shilton

View this new build 4 bedroom family house project in Earl Shilton, with architectural design, planning support, landscaping and detailed design by Architectural Vistadesigns.

New Build Dwellings in Allesley, Coventry | Browns Lane Project

Explore this Browns Lane, Allesley project involving the design and planning approval of two new build dwellings in Coventry, including landscaping and detailed design.

Railway Inn, Sileby | Public House Conversion & New Build Project

Explore the Railway Inn, Sileby project involving public house conversion, new build dwellings, planning submission and landscaping for a constrained town centre site.

View Previous Work

Need Clarity Before You Start?

Book a free consultation and get clear advice on permitted development or planning permission.

Book Your Free Consultation

Permitted Development & Lawful Development Certificate FAQs

Permitted development rights UK homeowners may benefit from allow certain types of work to be carried out without submitting a full planning application, provided specific rules, limits, and conditions are met. Whether they apply depends on the property, the location, the type of work, and any restrictions already affecting the site.

A lawful development certificate is an official confirmation from the local authority that proposed or completed work is lawful under planning rules. It is commonly used where a project is believed to fall under permitted development and written confirmation is wanted for reassurance, records, or future sale purposes.

A lawful development certificate is not always compulsory, but many homeowners choose to apply for one because it provides formal confirmation that the work is lawful. This can be useful if questions arise later during the build, sale, or remortgage of the property.

Some extensions can fall under permitted development, but not all. The answer depends on factors such as the size of the extension, the type of property, previous additions, and whether any restrictions apply. Early advice can help determine whether a lawful development certificate or full planning permission is the better route.

Yes, in some cases. Many loft conversions can be carried out under permitted development, provided they meet the relevant limits and conditions. A lawful development certificate can then be used to confirm that the proposal is lawful before work begins or after it has been completed.

Timescales vary by local authority and by the complexity of the proposal. The overall process usually includes assessing the project, preparing the drawings and supporting information, submitting the application, and waiting for the council’s formal decision.

Full planning permission may be needed where the proposed work exceeds permitted development limits, where specific restrictions apply, or where the property does not benefit from the relevant rights. This is why an early assessment is so useful before work begins.

Yes. We can prepare the measured surveys, proposed drawings, and supporting application information needed to help submit a lawful development certificate application with greater clarity and confidence.