Planning permission for extensions in Christchurch
Need planning permission for extensions in Christchurch? We survey the house, prepare what the council needs and deal with the officers until a decision is made.
- Guide price in ChristchurchFrom £350 inc VAT
- PlanningWe find the right route for you
- Timescale8–13 weeks typical decision period
- Postcode districtsBH5, BH6, BH7, BH23
Who this service is for
- Projects in conservation areas or with previous refusals
- Anyone unsure whether their extension needs permission
- Homeowners who would rather not deal with the council themselves
Working in Christchurch
Site visits are available across Christchurch (BH5, BH6, BH7, BH23). Nearby, we also take on projects in Bournemouth (4 miles), Ferndown (7 miles), Poole (9 miles), Wimborne Minster (10 miles).
New Milton, in Hampshire, is roughly 5 miles from Christchurch and also on our list. South West homes range from terraced streets in the cities to stone cottages and bungalows in the countryside, and conservation areas are common in historic centres.
Do I need planning permission in Christchurch?
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.
In a conservation area, national park, National Landscape, the Broads or a World Heritage Site the permitted development limits are tighter (no side or two-storey extensions without an application). Listed homes need listed building consent, and if permitted development rights have been removed, any extension needs an application.
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).
What it costs in Christchurch
Fees below are our Christchurch guide (×1.02, the South West 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 – £1,150 |
| Premium | Application with heritage or design statements, and responses to the council | £900 – £1,650 |
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.
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
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
Work is carried out to the agreed programme, inspected by building control and signed off at the end.
Questions answered
Do I need building regulations approval in Christchurch?
Yes. Almost every extension needs it, whatever the planning route. We prepare the drawings and book the inspections.
Can I see a price before committing to anything?
Yes. The guide prices on this page are adjusted for Christchurch, 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 Christchurch?
Yes. We cover Christchurch and the surrounding parts of Dorset. Site visits are free and there is no obligation.
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 Christchurch
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.