Planning Help
Helping You Obtain Planning Permission
Planning permission and/or building regulations are sometimes required before a canopy, shelter or shade sail can be installed.
In cases where this is necessary, we can work closely with you, advising what you need and where you can get it from.
We will produce all the documents and scaled drawings required for your application free of charge and we can help you complete your application form.
Free Download: The Canopy Planning Process
Complete the form below to download your free planning chart to guide you through the canopy planning process.
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A Detailed Look at our Canopy Planning Permission Help & Advice Service
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.
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
- 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 an external Structural Engineer.
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.
The above freestanding canopy was installed at King Edward VII Lower School in South Yorkshire and required planning permission. We helped the school with their planning application, processing all documents as required and mentioned above.
Here are some testimonials from our customers who have used our planning assistance service:
“Very professional service provided throughout from sale to installation.
Support in the building regulations minefield was invaluable. We would have no hesitation in recommending Able Canopies in the future.”
– East Borough Primary School, Kent
“When we decided we wanted a canopy we naively didn’t really know what was involved after getting the quote, we presumed we just paid and booked for the work to be done. The process was a bit more complicated and needed us to get planning permission and consent from the owners of the land who although were the same local authority that gave planning permission still required us to take these additional steps. We are a small team and no one in our staff had experience of this type of process but the staff at Able Canopies supported us through all the steps and helped with applying for plans and obtaining landlords consent and liaised with the various departments involved too and we now have our lovely new canopy. Thank you Able Canopies, we couldn’t have done it without you!”
– Leagrave Children’s Centre, Bedfordshire, Luton
“You & Able were very helpful to us with the Canopy – we are very pleased with the process & the product!”
– Bute House Prep School for Girls, Hammersmith, London
“The canopy was very reasonably prices, the installation was trouble free and the assistance with planning permission was fantastic”
– Ellen Tinkham School, Exeter, Devon
“Thank you so much for all your help and patience since the initial quote through to the final installation stage, and especially for completing the planning permission application.”
– Little Acorns Pre School, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire
“From our initial meeting, planning and installation, we were very impressed. Many thanks Able Canopies.”
– Colchester Academy, Colchester, Essex
“We needed urgently documentations to support our planning application to the County Council for the installation of a Shade Sail. These included diagrams with technical information, as well as pictures showing the settings with the Shade Sail. We were very pleased with the support we got from Able Canopies in producing these. Not only did Able Canopies provide them quickly, but they also made all the changes we requested on time. We were very pleased with the service.”
– Chair of Playgroup Committee – Three Bears Playgroup, Suffolk
“First of all many thanks from everybody here for all that you did to speed up the completion of our canopy. We are absolutely delighted by the finished result and the team of fitters was excellent – a real credit to the company.
They worked hard and caused absolutely minimal disruption. The problems caused by soft sandstone walls were resolved by your management quickly and satisfactorily.
Once the process began Able Canopies was very efficient. Guidance was clear as to what was required from us and the necessary permission was sought. Paperwork was very thorough and comprehensive drawings and notes were supplied and no queries were raised by the authorities.
A very efficient service. We would happily recommend Able Canopies to anybody looking for a covered area and are happy to allow anybody to visit if they wish to see a finished product.”
– Head Teacher – East Haddon C of E Primary School, Northampton.
“I found Able Canopies to be very helpful with our planning permission. We were able to do this through the planning portal together via the telephone. Without your help, I am sure I would have struggled. Thank you.”
– Joanne Hoy – Streetfield Middle School, Bedfordshire.
“When asked to complete a planning application on our behalf, Able Canopies were very willing to do so and completed the form quickly. The whole team was very friendly and helpful in ensuring that we received planning support, despite the process requiring much time and input.”
– Lynsey Stevens – Seer Green Nursery, Buckinghamshire.
