DIY Planning Drawings
Discussion
We need to submit a planning application for a fairly simple project (pergola in front garden). Does anyone have recommendations for appropriate software and/or a book to get me through it - I don't fancy spending more than the project itself on AutoCAD. I'm aware architects spend 7yrs learning this stuff but with some application I'm hoping to pick it up in an hour and a half 
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
Look at other applications to see what the professionals submit and use that as a basis for your own drawing.
Section thru foundations, specifications etc are all quoted and can be added to your drawing to make it look as if it was given some thought.
I found our planning department helpful take your drawing to them and ask for advice if it is acceptable.
It is not rocket science!
Section thru foundations, specifications etc are all quoted and can be added to your drawing to make it look as if it was given some thought.
I found our planning department helpful take your drawing to them and ask for advice if it is acceptable.
It is not rocket science!
jrb43 said:
We need to submit a planning application for a fairly simple project (pergola in front garden). Does anyone have recommendations for appropriate software and/or a book to get me through it - I don't fancy spending more than the project itself on AutoCAD. I'm aware architects spend 7yrs learning this stuff but with some application I'm hoping to pick it up in an hour and a half
Thanks in advance.
Why not use an architect? Might be cheaper than you think!Thanks in advance.
esuuv said:
Autocad really isn’t hard
Indeed - but knowing what to draw is a bit more tricky!I've used Sketchup successfully for this kind of thing in the past. It was originally a Google thing - they sold it a few years back but there is still a free version https://www.sketchup.com/plans-and-pricing/sketchu...
I'm happy to help for a (very) small fee. I charge about £25 an hour so depending on what you want, it'll be no more than a couple hours work. I'm a Design Engineer and have done a few bits for people on here over the years.
I would just need some pics and a few basic sketches with dims. PM me if you like.
I would just need some pics and a few basic sketches with dims. PM me if you like.
You don't need that much for planning approval, particularly if it's straight lines. I did my extension with pen & paper - and a ruler 
Have a browse through your local council planning web site & see what others have submitted.
The planning department were extremely helpful - and very patient - they provided good feedback on my first attempt and were clear about exactly what needed to be included.
Have a browse through your local council planning web site & see what others have submitted.
The planning department were extremely helpful - and very patient - they provided good feedback on my first attempt and were clear about exactly what needed to be included.
Mercdriver said:
Look at other applications to see what the professionals submit and use that as a basis for your own drawing.
Section thru foundations, specifications etc are all quoted and can be added to your drawing to make it look as if it was given some thought.
I found our planning department helpful take your drawing to them and ask for advice if it is acceptable.
It is not rocket science!
It's a pergola, not the Shard Section thru foundations, specifications etc are all quoted and can be added to your drawing to make it look as if it was given some thought.
I found our planning department helpful take your drawing to them and ask for advice if it is acceptable.
It is not rocket science!
deckster said:
I've used Sketchup successfully for this kind of thing in the past. It was originally a Google thing - they sold it a few years back but there is still a free version https://www.sketchup.com/plans-and-pricing/sketchu...
The free version of Sketchup doesn't allow you to easily create drawings to scale, which is a necessity for a Planning application.There are various freeware 2D CAD packages available, but to be honest the easiest and cheapest way for something that simple is pencil and paper.
Do start by reading the advice on both the Planning Portal and your Local Authority website on the information to be submitted with Planning applications, though: it needs to be of a certain standard, including certain information and presented in a certain way, for it to be considered 'valid', and you'll be wasting everbody's time (not least your own) if you don't at least try to get this side of things right.
Thanks so much all
Yes, I had pondered Fivver as a valid outlet. @welshjon81 - thank you, I may well consider your kind offer. Others: I accept that an architect may not cost "that" much but the pergola is going to be £300 in materials and 2 beers to cajole a friend into helping me put it up...
@Equus - thank you for the sage advice. Absolutely, I have every intention of respecting the system and half-arsed is not in my nature. A drive for applying for PP here (as I should) is that we are likely to want more extravagant alterations down the line: including a porch which a planning officer would be approaching through the pergola! We live in a small parish and I don't want a reputation in the planning office for playing fast and loose with the rules. Do I honestly think that any of our neighbours (all >1/4 mile away) are going to care about a pergola or even know that it needs PP? No. Do I want the planning department to have another reason to be upset with future me? Absolutely no.
Yes, I had pondered Fivver as a valid outlet. @welshjon81 - thank you, I may well consider your kind offer. Others: I accept that an architect may not cost "that" much but the pergola is going to be £300 in materials and 2 beers to cajole a friend into helping me put it up...
@Equus - thank you for the sage advice. Absolutely, I have every intention of respecting the system and half-arsed is not in my nature. A drive for applying for PP here (as I should) is that we are likely to want more extravagant alterations down the line: including a porch which a planning officer would be approaching through the pergola! We live in a small parish and I don't want a reputation in the planning office for playing fast and loose with the rules. Do I honestly think that any of our neighbours (all >1/4 mile away) are going to care about a pergola or even know that it needs PP? No. Do I want the planning department to have another reason to be upset with future me? Absolutely no.
jrb43 said:
...we are likely to want more extravagant alterations down the line: including a porch which a planning officer would be approaching through the pergola!
Small porches (up to 3m2, which works out to about 5'8" x 5'8", and max. 3m. high) are Permitted Development, of course, so you may not need to ask Planning about that one, unless the building is Listed.Equus said:
Small porches (up to 3m2, which works out to about 5'8" x 5'8", and max. 3m. high) are Permitted Development, of course, so you may not need to ask Planning about that one, unless the building is Listed.
Thank you once again, yes I had noted that in my cursory reading. Long story but in order to solve the architectural problem we have (no one can find the front door behind the previous owner's extension) it'll be bigger than that. But it's definitely down the line in the list of jobs!I used LibreCAD for my planning application.
Lots of youtube support for it and the plans I created were accepted for the planning application. I had to do front and rear elevations, before and after, all measured with a tape measure! I am no CAD expert but I found it pretty easy. Very satisfying.
Unfortunately my application was refused initially, but I won my appeal which I did myself too. It isn't rocket science.
Lots of youtube support for it and the plans I created were accepted for the planning application. I had to do front and rear elevations, before and after, all measured with a tape measure! I am no CAD expert but I found it pretty easy. Very satisfying.
Unfortunately my application was refused initially, but I won my appeal which I did myself too. It isn't rocket science.
AndyC_123 said:
About 3 years ago a planning officer told me he/they give more leeway to "amateurs" and their drawings than professionals.
This is definitely true (and I've had it confirmed to me directly, off the record, by several validation officers who are personal friends of our Planning Director from her former life in Local Authority).It's not that they're being kind, you understand: it's simply that it would be too time-consuming for them to force the amateurs to get it right... it is easier to cut them some slack and deal with the substandard drawings that they submit, rather than send out endless invalidation letters listing everything that they've got wrong.
Ditto the Appeals Inspectorate - they tend to 'nanny' appeals by amateurs, much as a court will make more sympathetic allowance for someone trying to represent themselves. It still falls over if the arguments are at all complex or detailed, though.
Edited by Equus on Friday 12th May 13:54
AndyC_123 said:
About 3 years ago a planning officer told me he/they give more leeway to "amateurs" and their drawings than professionals.
From my experience I believe that to be true. I have seen some truly awful drawings presented to planners, validated and considered. In contrast to the extensive time and effort that I input into every drawing that leaves my office. AndyC_123 said:
About 3 years ago a planning officer told me he/they give more leeway to "amateurs" and their drawings than professionals.
100% true - they told me as much as an amateur. My initial drawings received some feedback, but they appeared happy to clarify on the phone exactly what each point meant & what their expectations were. They said they were happy for me to have another go, but if I didn't get it right the next time, then I really ought to be paying someone else to do them
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