Planning permission for extensions in Bury St Edmunds
Need planning permission for extensions in Bury St Edmunds? We survey the house, prepare what the council needs and deal with the officers until a decision is made.
- Guide price in Bury St EdmundsFrom £350 inc VAT
- PlanningWe find the right route for you
- Timescale8–13 weeks typical decision period
- Postcode districtsIP32, IP33
When it helps
- Homeowners who would rather not deal with the council themselves
- Anyone unsure whether their extension needs permission
- Projects in conservation areas or with previous refusals
Fees in Bury St Edmunds
Fees below are our Bury St Edmunds guide (×1.06, the East of England factor), including VAT. Council and building control fees are extra.
| 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.
Want a range for your exact size? The guide-price tool takes about a minute.
Covering Bury St Edmunds
Site visits are available across Bury St Edmunds (IP32, IP33). Neighbouring towns we cover include Stowmarket (13 miles), Newmarket (13 miles), Sudbury (14 miles), Haverhill (16 miles).
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.
Planning rules that apply in Bury St Edmunds
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.
If the work involves a shared wall, building on the boundary, or digging foundations within 3 m (sometimes 6 m) of a neighbour's building, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies and notice must be served before work starts: two months for work to a party wall, one month for new walls on the boundary and for excavations.
Applications are decided by the local planning authority (your district, borough or unitary council).
How the project works
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 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
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 Bury St Edmunds, 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 Bury St Edmunds?
Yes. We cover Bury St Edmunds and the surrounding parts of Suffolk. Site visits are free and there is no obligation.
Will my neighbours in Bury St Edmunds be involved?
If a planning application or prior approval is needed, the council notifies neighbours. If the work is on or near a shared boundary, party wall notices may also be needed.
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 Bury St Edmunds
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.