Planning permission for extensions across Whitehaven
We prepare planning permission for extensions for homes in Whitehaven, as a stand-alone service or as the first stage of a design and build project.
- Guide price in WhitehavenFrom £300 inc VAT
- PlanningWe find the right route for you
- Timescale8–13 weeks typical decision period
- Postcode districtsCA28
Local to Whitehaven
Our survey diary covers Whitehaven, including CA28. We also work in nearby Workington (7 miles), Ulverston (31 miles), Penrith (33 miles), Barrow-in-Furness (34 miles).
Just over the Lancashire border, Morecambe is about 44 miles away. The North West has a high share of Victorian and Edwardian terraces with rear yards and outriggers, plus large areas of inter-war semis in the suburbs.
Will the council need to approve it?
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.
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.
Applications are decided by the local planning authority (your district, borough or unitary council).
When it helps
- 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
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.
Fees in Whitehaven
These are guide fees for Whitehaven, adjusted for North West England (×0.95) and including VAT. Council application and inspection fees are paid separately.
| 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.
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
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.
Common questions in Whitehaven
How long does this take for a Whitehaven home?
8–13 weeks typical decision period, depending on the council and the complexity of the project.
Do you cover all of Whitehaven?
Yes. We cover Whitehaven and the surrounding parts of Cumbria. 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 Whitehaven, 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 Whitehaven
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.