What you can build without permission, what needs it, and how to get through it smoothly around Farnham and Surrey.
Planning can feel like the scary part of a project. It does not need to be. Here is how it works, in plain English.
Permitted development
Many extensions and loft conversions can be built under permitted development, which means no full planning application, as long as they stay within set size and design limits. It is worth applying for a Lawful Development Certificate as proof that the work is lawful, which helps when you come to sell.
When you need full planning permission
- Larger extensions that go beyond the permitted development limits.
- New build homes and anything that creates a new dwelling.
- Front extensions, and some changes to the roofline.
- Flats and maisonettes, which have fewer permitted development rights.
- A change of use of the building.
Conservation areas and listed buildings
Parts of Farnham and much of Surrey sit within conservation areas, and some homes are listed. In these places, permitted development rights are often restricted or removed (sometimes by an Article 4 direction), and listed buildings need separate listed building consent for many changes. The Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty adds further sensitivity. None of this stops good work; it just needs careful, sympathetic design and the right expertise.
Planning is not the same as building regulations
These are two separate approvals. Planning is about whether you can build something and how it looks; building regulations are about how it is built, for safety and performance. You almost always need building control sign-off, even for work that does not need planning permission.
Other things to check
- Party wall. A separate legal process where work affects a shared wall or boundary.
- Trees. Trees with a preservation order, or in a conservation area, need consent before any work.
- Drainage, highways and levies. Depending on the project, there may be drainage approvals, access considerations or a community infrastructure levy.
How long it takes
A householder planning application usually takes around eight weeks, larger applications around thirteen, and listed building work can take longer. Building well early, with a good architect, makes the whole process smoother.
How we help
We work hand in hand with your architect or planning consultant, know the local authorities including Waverley Borough Council, and build precisely to the approved drawings and the regulations. If you are just starting out, we will point you in the right direction.
This is general guidance for 2026 and not a substitute for advice on your specific site. Rules change and vary by location.