Whether you live in Essex, Suffolk, Hertfordshire, Kent, Cambridgeshire, London or other surrounding counties, I will have had some dealing with your Local Authority Planning or Building Regulations officers.
Planning Policies can vary from one Council to another so previous dealings with your particular Authority can be an advantage.
The general Planning requirements were changed in 2008 allowing more extensions and loft conversions to be carried out under Permitted Development Rights, subject to some design restrictions.
Building Regulations requirements are set at a national standard, which are usually quite technical and need to be presented in a manner set down by the Statutory Authorities.
Some projects may involve the need for fully detailed structural calculations to support the application. Where relevant these are included for you, to secure the relevant building permissions.
Unfortunately, not all applications are granted Planning consent and it may be appropriate to submit an Appeal to the Planning Inspectorate to try and overturn the refusal. All the Appeal application details can be submitted for you.
I can advise you on all aspects of these issues, either on the telephone initially or by a no obligation meeting at your home, at a time convenient to you.