Planning permission for extensions across Merseyside
We prepare planning permission for extensions for homes across Merseyside, on their own or as the first stage of a full design and build project.
- Guide priceFrom £300 inc VAT
- PlanningWe find the right route for you
- Towns covered17
- Site visitFree, no obligation
Towns in Merseyside
Fees in Merseyside
Fees below are our Merseyside guide (×0.95, the North 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) | £300 – £650 |
| Standard | Householder planning application handled | £550 – £1,050 |
| Premium | Application with heritage or design statements, and responses to the council | £850 – £1,550 |
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.
Planning and approvals in Merseyside
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.
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).
Who this service is for
- 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
A lawful development certificate is not compulsory for permitted development, but it is the cleanest proof that the extension was lawful when you come to sell. We usually recommend one.
Covering Merseyside
Towns we cover in Merseyside include Liverpool, Birkenhead, St Helens, Southport, Wallasey, Bootle, Bebington, Huyton. Across the North West, terraced houses with small rear yards suit compact rear and side return extensions, while suburban semis have room for more.
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
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
You receive a written, itemised price and programme. Nothing starts until you are happy with it.
Build and sign-off
The build is managed from start to finish, inspected at each stage and signed off on completion.
Common questions in Merseyside
Will my neighbours in Merseyside 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.
Do you cover all of Merseyside?
Yes, across the whole of Merseyside. Site visits are free and there is no obligation.
Do I need building regulations approval in Merseyside?
Yes. Almost every extension needs it, whatever the planning route. We prepare the drawings and book the inspections.
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 Merseyside
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.