Canopy Planning Permission Help & Advice

The Able Canopies dedicated planning team have helped hundreds of schools successfully apply for planning and building regulations for their canopies. We can help and guide you through the process, making the experience much simpler and stress-free for you and your colleagues.

It’s important to note that most canopies don’t require planning permission however, it is always advised that you check with your local authority to find out if you need to apply, as requirements can vary for different areas.

Here’s an overview of what’s included in the canopy planning permission process and the ways in which we can help.

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1. Planning Requirements

At Able Canopies, we will always advise you to check with your local authority to see if your canopy proposal requires planning permission. Only around 20 – 25% of our customers require planning permission, so don’t let the prospect put you off. Plus, if you do require planning permission, we can do all the hard work for you, taking the headache away and keeping your canopy buying process enjoyable.

2. Providing the Planning Service

The planning process can be quite complicated and therefore daunting, particularly if you haven’t processed one before. That’s why we can complete and submit the whole application for you.

If you require planning permission, and choose to place your canopy order with us, we will start working on the application straight away to ‘get the ball rolling’. This process, which we can take care of for you includes:

  • Completing the planning application on the planning portal website
  • Ordering:
    • Location plans
    • Block plans
    • Existing elevation plans
    • Proposed elevation plans
  • Submitting the above documents, plus our canopy quotation and super-imposed images of the canopy into the planning portal
  • We will only require you to sign a separate planning order form which will show the planning costs due. Once this is signed, we can pay and submit the order, you will then be invoiced for this amount.
  • We will check the planning portal regularly to track the progress of the application and keep you updated, or you can check on the application yourselves as we can give you the planning reference to track this on the local LA website.

3. Bio-Diversity Reports

Biodiversity reports are a new mandatory addition to planning applications that was introduced in February 2024. They were introduced to assess the biodiversity of your site and how a development might impact it. This can be quite a detailed and lengthy report however, we can compile the reports and submit them for you, taking the stress away.

4. Heritage Reports (Usually only required if in a Conservation Area)

Heritage reports are not always required; however, they may be required as part of your planning application depending on your location and building. Again, the heritage reports can be in-depth, requiring lots of research however, we can take care of this for you with our in-house dedicated planning team.

5. TPO – Tree Protection Orders or Assessments

Are there any Trees or Hedges on the proposed development site that could influence the development or might be important as part of the local landscape character? If yes, you may need to provide a full tree survey, at the discretion of the local planning authority. If a tree survey is required, this would be in accordance with the current BS5837. Again, we can arrange this for you, but should an Arboriculturist Specialist need to be appointed to carry out these assessments – there is a cost involved.

6. Flood Risk Assessments

Flood risk assessments may be required for your planning application if you are in a flood risk area. Understandably you may not know if you are in a flood risk area, we can therefore research this for you. Most of the time our customers aren’t, so we just ‘tick the box’ to say no. However, if you are, a flood risk assessment will need to be carried out by a professional which will incur a charge from them. Again, we can arrange this for you.

7. Building Control

Building control is not always required for canopy planning applications; you will need to enquire yourself to find out if it is required for your application. If you do require it, we can complete and process the application, supplying drawings and documents required.

8. Structural Calculations

Structural calculations are only required if building control requires structural calculations. All our canopies have been structurally calculated; however, we can arrange for structural calculations to be completed for your individual canopy to complete your application. Fees will apply for this to be carried out by third party professionals.

9. Costs

Our planning service is completely complimentary and will begin once you place an order with us. However, whilst we don’t charge for our service, your LA planning department will charge a fee, and although we can process the fees for you, the costs will need to be covered by yourselves.

We do not make any profit from the planning applications, we only pass on fees from your local authority and for chargeable services such as drawings, calculations and assessments carried out by third-party professionals.

Whether you’re uncertain about planning requirements or need guidance through the application process, our dedicated planning team is here to make your canopy installation stress-free. Able Canopies will help manage your planning permission from start to finish, letting you focus on bringing your canopy vision to life.