Planning permission for extensions in Rayleigh
Need planning permission for extensions in Rayleigh? We survey the house, prepare what the council needs and deal with the officers until a decision is made.
- Guide price in RayleighFrom £350 inc VAT
- PlanningWe find the right route for you
- Timescale8–13 weeks typical decision period
- Postcode districtsSS5, SS6, SS7
What it costs in Rayleigh
Guide fees for Rayleigh including VAT, using our East of England factor of ×1.06. Council and building control charges are not included.
| 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.
Planning rules that apply in Rayleigh
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.
Before any drawing is finalised we check whether the house is listed, in a conservation area or subject to an Article 4 direction.
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).
Local to Rayleigh
Across SS5, SS6, SS7, we can visit, measure and advise. Neighbouring towns we cover include Hadleigh (2 miles), Benfleet (3 miles), Wickford (4 miles), Canvey Island (5 miles).
Across the East of England many houses sit on generous plots, and single-storey and wraparound extensions are a natural fit.
Included in a typical project
- Route recommendation in writing
- Application forms, plans and supporting statements
- Submission and fee payment guidance
- Planning history and constraints check for your address
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
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
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 you cover all of Rayleigh?
Yes. We cover Rayleigh and the surrounding parts of Essex. Site visits are free and there is no obligation.
How long does this take for a Rayleigh home?
8–13 weeks typical decision period, depending on the council and the complexity of the project.
Will my neighbours in Rayleigh 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.
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 Rayleigh
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.