Planning permission for extensions in Ampthill
For Ampthill homeowners we handle planning permission for extensions, with fees agreed in writing before any work starts.
- Guide price in AmpthillFrom £350 inc VAT
- PlanningWe find the right route for you
- Timescale8–13 weeks typical decision period
- Postcode districtsMK45
Covering Ampthill
Postcode districts we cover around Ampthill include MK45. Nearby, we also take on projects in Kempston (6 miles), Bedford (8 miles), Dunstable (10 miles), Leighton Buzzard (10 miles).
For homes towards Buckinghamshire, Bletchley is around 10 miles away. Across the East of England many houses sit on generous plots, and single-storey and wraparound extensions are a natural fit.
What it costs in Ampthill
These are guide fees for Ampthill, adjusted for East of England (×1.06) and including VAT. Council application and inspection fees are paid separately.
| Option | What it covers | Guide price |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | Permitted development confirmed in writing (certificate or notification) | £350 – £700 |
| Standard | Householder planning application handled | £600 – £1,200 |
| Premium | Application with heritage or design statements, and responses to the council | £950 – £1,700 |
Our handling fee only. Council fees are extra: in England from 1 April 2026 a householder application is £548, a lawful development certificate for a proposed extension £274 and a larger home extension prior approval £249. Drawings are priced separately.
For a figure based on your own dimensions, use our guide-price tool.
When it helps
- Projects in conservation areas or with previous refusals
- Homeowners who would rather not deal with the council themselves
- Anyone unsure whether their extension needs permission
Do I need planning permission in Ampthill?
In England the main routes are permitted development (ideally confirmed with a lawful development certificate, £274), larger home extension prior approval (£249, 42 days) and a householder planning application (£548, normally 8 weeks), with council fees as set from 1 April 2026.
Homes in conservation areas, national parks, National Landscapes (formerly AONBs), the Broads and World Heritage Sites have tighter rules, so we always check the property's status and planning history before design starts.
Building over or within 3 m of a public sewer needs the water company's consent, usually through a build-over agreement, before the foundations go in.
Building regulations approval is separate from planning. In England you can use the council's building control team or a registered building control approver; a full plans application gets the drawings checked before work starts, and the inspector signs the work off with a completion certificate.
Applications are decided by the local planning authority (your district, borough or unitary council).
From first visit to completion
Site visits are free and there is no obligation. Where drawings are needed, the design stage is priced in writing before it starts.
Free site visit
It starts with a visit to your house to measure, check access and talk through ideas and budget.
Design and approvals
We draw the design, agree it with you and handle planning or permitted development checks and building regulations.
Fixed written price
With the design and specification agreed, you get a fixed written price and a start date.
Build and sign-off
Work is carried out to the agreed programme, inspected by building control and signed off at the end.
Common questions in Ampthill
Can I see a price before committing to anything?
Yes. The guide prices on this page are adjusted for Ampthill, and the guide-price tool gives a range for your own size. After the survey you get a written price before anything is agreed.
Do you cover all of Ampthill?
Yes. We cover Ampthill and the surrounding parts of Bedfordshire. Site visits are free and there is no obligation.
Do I need building regulations approval in Ampthill?
Yes. Almost every extension needs it, whatever the planning route. We prepare the drawings and book the inspections.
How much does planning permission cost?
In England, from 1 April 2026 the council fee is £548 for a householder application, £274 for a lawful development certificate for a proposed extension and £249 for larger home extension prior approval. Our handling fee is separate.
What happens if planning is refused?
You can revise the design and reapply, or appeal. We read the officer’s report and tell you honestly which option has a better chance.
Book a free site visit in Ampthill
We will measure up, check the planning position and give you honest guide figures.
- Free, no-obligation site visit
- Planning route checked before you spend on drawings
- Written price once the design is agreed
- Building control sign-off at the end
Prefer to talk? Call 0800 088 6341 or .
Book a free site visit
Tell us a little about the project and we will arrange a time.