Planning permission for extensions in Bishop's Stortford
Need planning permission for extensions in Bishop's Stortford? We survey the house, prepare what the council needs and deal with the officers until a decision is made.
- Guide price in Bishop's StortfordFrom £350 inc VAT
- PlanningWe find the right route for you
- Timescale8–13 weeks typical decision period
- Postcode districtsCM23
Design and approval fees for Bishop's Stortford
These are guide fees for Bishop's Stortford, 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.
Working in Bishop's Stortford
Our survey diary covers Bishop's Stortford, including CM23. We also work in nearby Hoddesdon (10 miles), Hertford (11 miles), Cheshunt (14 miles), Stevenage (16 miles).
For homes towards Essex, Harlow is around 7 miles away. The East of England mixes market-town terraces, inter-war semis and modern estates. Clay soils are common in parts of the region, which can affect foundation design.
Will the council need to approve it?
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 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).
Included in a typical project
- Route recommendation in writing
- Planning history and constraints check for your address
- Submission and fee payment guidance
- Application forms, plans and supporting statements
- Liaison with the planning officer
What happens next
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
First, a site visit: we look at the house, garden, access and drains and listen to what you need.
Design and approvals
We produce the drawings and structural design, and manage the approvals so they are in place before work starts.
Fixed written price
With the design and specification agreed, you get a fixed written price and a start date.
Build and sign-off
We build it with one project manager, book the building control inspections and hand over the completion certificate.
Questions answered
Can I see a price before committing to anything?
Yes. The guide prices on this page are adjusted for Bishop's Stortford, and the guide-price tool gives a range for your own size. After the survey you get a written price before anything is agreed.
How long does this take for a Bishop's Stortford home?
8–13 weeks typical decision period, depending on the council and the complexity of the project.
Do you cover all of Bishop's Stortford?
Yes. We cover Bishop's Stortford and the surrounding parts of Hertfordshire. Site visits are free and there is no obligation.
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.
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.
Book a free site visit in Bishop's Stortford
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.