The short answer
Yes — most architects will handle the planning application for you as part of their service, though you should confirm it is included in the fee. Typically they prepare the required drawings (existing and proposed plans, elevations, sections, and a site and location plan), complete the application forms, write any design and access or supporting statement, submit the application through the Planning Portal, and then act as your point of contact with the council, responding to the case officer's queries and negotiating amendments if needed. They cannot guarantee approval or speed up the council's statutory decision period, and for complex or contentious sites a specialist planning consultant may be brought in alongside them. You still make the key decisions — the design, whether to amend, and whether to appeal a refusal.
Handing the whole planning process to someone else is one of the main reasons people use an architect. Most do manage it for you, but it is worth knowing exactly what "dealing with planning" includes.
What the architect handles
- DrawingsExisting + proposed sets
- Forms + statementsApplication and supporting docs
- SubmissionVia the Planning Portal
- LiaisonAnswering the case officer
- Not promisedApproval or a faster decision
What an architect does on planning
When an architect manages planning, the service usually covers the whole journey from drawings to decision:
- Preparing the application drawings: the existing and proposed plans, elevations and sections, plus the OS-based location plan and a site/block plan to the council's requirements.
- Completing the forms and statements: the application form, ownership certificates, and any design and access statement, heritage statement or other supporting document the proposal needs.
- Submitting the application: filing it through the Planning Portal (or the council's system) and paying the application fee on your behalf, with your authority.
- Liaising with the planners: acting as the named agent, responding to the case officer's queries, and negotiating reasonable amendments to win support rather than risk a refusal.
- Advising on the outcome: explaining any conditions attached to an approval, or the reasons for a refusal and your options.
Acting as your agent means the council corresponds with the architect rather than you, which keeps the process in experienced hands.
What is and is not included — check the fee
"Dealing with planning" can mean different things, so confirm the scope before you instruct. The table below shows what is commonly included and what often is not.
| Task | Usually included? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Planning drawings | Yes | Core part of the service |
| Application forms | Yes | Completed as your agent |
| Submission + fee | Yes (fee is yours) | Council fee is separate from architect fee |
| Officer liaison | Usually | Confirm it covers queries + amendments |
| Specialist reports | Often extra | Ecology, flood, arboriculture, etc. |
| Appeals | Usually extra | Charged separately if refused |
Typical scope of an architect's planning service; always confirm in the appointment. Source: RIBA guidance.
When you need a planning consultant too
For most straightforward home extensions the architect handles planning comfortably. But some situations benefit from a specialist planning consultant working alongside them:
- Contentious or policy-sensitive sites: green belt, conservation areas, listed buildings, or proposals likely to attract objections, where detailed planning policy knowledge is decisive.
- Larger or unusual schemes: new dwellings, change of use, or anything beyond a standard householder application.
- Appeals: if an application is refused, a planning consultant can lead the appeal, which is a specialist process with its own rules.
The two roles are complementary: the architect designs and prepares the application, while the consultant focuses on planning policy and strategy. For a simple extension you rarely need both. It is also worth remembering that not every project needs a planning application at all — many fall under permitted development, where the architect can instead advise on a Lawful Development Certificate to confirm the work is allowed.
Frequently asked questions
Can an architect submit a planning application for me?
Yes. Most architects act as your agent, preparing the drawings and forms and submitting the application through the Planning Portal on your behalf. They also respond to the council's queries. Confirm this is included in your fee before instructing.
Does an architect guarantee planning permission?
No. No one can guarantee approval — the decision rests with the local authority against planning policy. A good architect improves your chances by designing to policy, submitting a complete application and negotiating sensibly, but the outcome is never certain.
Do I need a planning consultant as well as an architect?
Usually not for a standard home extension. A planning consultant is worth considering for policy-sensitive sites such as green belt or listed buildings, larger or unusual schemes, or to lead an appeal if an application is refused.
Sources & further reading
- RIBA — working with an architect on planning
- Planning Portal — submitting a planning application
- GOV.UK — appeal a planning decision
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific project. They are guidance, not a quotation.