Planning permission for extensions across Houghton-le-Spring
We prepare planning permission for extensions for homes in Houghton-le-Spring, as a stand-alone service or as the first stage of a design and build project.
- Guide price in Houghton-le-SpringFrom £300 inc VAT
- PlanningWe find the right route for you
- Timescale8–13 weeks typical decision period
- Postcode districtsDH4, DH5
Included in a typical project
- Application forms, plans and supporting statements
- Planning history and constraints check for your address
- Route recommendation in writing
- Submission and fee payment guidance
- Advice if conditions are attached or changes are requested
- Liaison with the planning officer
Working in Houghton-le-Spring
Across DH4, DH5, we can visit, measure and advise. Neighbouring towns we cover include Washington (5 miles), Sunderland (6 miles), Felling (9 miles), Hebburn (9 miles).
Chester-le-Street, in County Durham, is roughly 5 miles from Houghton-le-Spring and also on our list. Across the North East, houses often have rear yards or modest gardens, so compact, well-lit single-storey extensions make the biggest difference.
Do I need planning permission in Houghton-le-Spring?
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.
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.
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).
Design and approval fees for Houghton-le-Spring
Fees below are our Houghton-le-Spring guide (×0.91, the North East 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) | £300 – £600 |
| Standard | Householder planning application handled | £500 – £1,050 |
| Premium | Application with heritage or design statements, and responses to the council | £800 – £1,500 |
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.
Try the guide-price tool to see a range for your own size and finish.
Our process, step by step
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
A designer visits, takes measurements and photos, and discusses layouts, budget and timing with you.
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
The price is fixed in writing once the design is settled, with a clear programme and payment stages.
Build and sign-off
The build is managed from start to finish, inspected at each stage and signed off on completion.
Questions answered
Who do I contract with in Houghton-le-Spring?
Your contract is with S&K Property Investments and Improvement Ltd, which designs and manages the project and the build teams who carry it out.
Do you cover all of Houghton-le-Spring?
Yes. We cover Houghton-le-Spring and the surrounding parts of Tyne and Wear. Site visits are free and there is no obligation.
Can I see a price before committing to anything?
Yes. The guide prices on this page are adjusted for Houghton-le-Spring, 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 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 Houghton-le-Spring
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.