Residential & Commercial

Planning Drawings & Planning Applications in Dorset

We draw the existing and proposed plans your council needs for a planning application, and we can submit it for you. Homeowners, landlords and commercial clients across Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch and Dorset use us from the first survey to the council's decision.

  • Fixed-price quotes
  • 5.0 from 21 Google reviews
  • Drawings in 1 to 2 weeks
Proposed elevations, ground and first floor plans, roof plan and 1:500 site plan for a house with a rear dormer, drawn at 1:100 for a planning application

Planning drawings for extensions, lofts and alterations

Most of our planning drawings are for homes: rear and side extensions, double-storey extensions, loft conversions and dormers, garage conversions and outbuildings. The same approach works for commercial alterations and changes of use.

We draw what your application needs and no more. A straightforward householder application usually needs existing and proposed floor plans and elevations, plus a location plan and block plan. Larger or more complex schemes can also need roof plans, sections and site information.

  • Single and double-storey extensions
  • Loft conversions, dormers and roof alterations
  • Garage conversions and outbuildings
  • Residential and commercial alterations
  • Changes of use
  • Retrospective applications and drawing updates
  • Non-material amendments and condition drawings

What's in a planning drawing package

If there are no accurate drawings of your property, we start with a measured survey. From that we draw the existing building, then develop the proposed plans and elevations with you, adding dimensions, levels and notes where they help the planning officer understand the design.

When we act as your planning agent, we submit the application and answer the council's drawing queries while it is being decided. Council application fees and specialist consultant fees are paid separately unless your quote says otherwise.

  • Measured survey of the existing property
  • Existing floor plans and elevations
  • Proposed floor plans and elevations
  • Location plan and block plan
  • Roof plans and sections where needed
  • Submission and council queries as your agent
Location plan at 1:1250 and block plan at 1:500 prepared for a planning application

How it works

From the first conversation to the council's decision.

  1. 1

    Talk it through

    Tell us about the property and what you want to do. We confirm which drawings you need and send a fixed-price quote.

  2. 2

    Measured survey

    We visit and measure the parts of the property the drawings need to show.

  3. 3

    Design and drawings

    We draw the existing building, then develop the proposed design with you until you are happy with it.

  4. 4

    Submission and council queries

    If we act as your agent, we submit the application and answer the council's drawing queries while it is decided.

Examples of our drawings

A selection of drawings from recent projects.

Proposed north and east elevations for an annexe, showing the approved and proposed ridge heights
Proposed south and west elevations for an annexe, drawn at 1:50 for a planning application
Proposed north, east, south and west elevations for a new dwelling, drawn at 1:100 for a planning application
Proposed east and north elevations of a two-storey brick house with pitched dormers and a single-storey side extension
Existing west and south elevations of the same two-storey house before the extension, with its original dormers and porch
Proposed ground and first floor plans for a detached house with an open-plan kitchen, lounge and dining room and four bedrooms
Proposed north and east elevations of a chalet bungalow with a large flat-roof dormer clad in anthracite boards
Proposed south and west elevations of the same chalet bungalow, with flat-roof dormers, rooflights and bi-fold doors
Proposed north and east elevations of a bungalow loft conversion with a rear flat-roof dormer and a Juliet balcony in the gable
Proposed west and south elevations of the same bungalow loft conversion, clad in grey boards with a window in the gable
Proposed floor plans for a bungalow loft conversion, with two bedrooms and a study in the new first floor inside the roof
Proposed ground and first floor plans with bedrooms and a gym in the roof space, lit by rooflights, above a kitchen and garage
Elevations, floor plans and a 1:500 site plan for glamping pods with new shower, toilet and kitchen buildings
Elevations, ground and first floor plans and a 1:500 site plan for an existing dwelling raised on posts with external stairs
Proposed site plan for a carport showing tree root protection areas taken from an arboricultural report
Proposed site plan for an annexe with tree root protection areas and protective fencing
Location plan at 1:1250 and site plan at 1:200 showing trees, root protection areas and new drainage with a soakaway and sewage treatment plant
Proposed site plan at 1:500 with a house and its plot edged red among the neighbouring properties
Proposed site plan for two dwellings with landscaping, four parking bays, bin and bike stores and a biodiversity net gain note
Construction logistics site plan showing contractor welfare, storage and parking areas and a keep-clear zone for skips
Parking plan at 1:200 with thirteen numbered bays, including a wider disabled bay, inside a red-edged site boundary
Refuse storage and collection plan at 1:500 for blocks of flats, showing a new brick bin store, parking and the collection point

Do I need planning permission?

Not always. Some extensions, loft conversions and roof alterations fall under permitted development rights, depending on the property, the size of the work, what has been built before and any restrictions on the site. If you want certainty, a Lawful Development Certificate confirms it formally. Listed buildings, conservation areas and homes where permitted development rights have been removed usually need a different route.

Planning permission and Building Regulations

They are separate approvals. Planning decides whether the development is acceptable. Building Regulations cover how it is built: structure, fire safety, insulation and ventilation. Once planning is granted, we can prepare your Building Regulations drawings from the same survey and drawings, and bring in a structural engineer or energy assessor where the project needs one.

What our clients are saying

5.0 from 21 Google reviews

Ashley completed drawings for our Annexe, he was very helpful and knowledgeable and offered us advice about how best to complete our project. As we wanted to do as much work ourselves having Ashley to ask questions was invaluable and he answered any queries we had promptly. We would definitely recommend Ashley's services.

Jamie Walker

Google review, September 2026

Excellent service from start to finish. It couldn't have been simpler. Ashley came out, viewed the site, drew up plans for our approval, submitted the application and dealt with any queries from the planning officer. Quick, accurate, efficient and stress free!

Chris. B

Google review, July 2026

We used Dorset Plans for our extension and Ashley was great throughout. He handled everything from the initial survey and drawings right through to planning permission sign-off, which made the whole process much simpler than we'd expected. Professional and easy to deal with, and always responsive when we had questions. The plans were detailed and delivered promptly, and it was reassuring to have someone manage the council side of things on our behalf. Good value for the service provided — we'd use him again without hesitation.

Matthew Morgan

Google review, May 2026

Ashley at Dorset Plans Ltd was excellent from start to finish. He carried out a measured survey and prepared our planning drawings for a garden annexe, handling the entire application process professionally and efficiently. Communication was clear throughout and he dealt directly with the council on our behalf, which made everything stress-free. Highly recommended :)

Ash Parsons

Google review, February 2026

I have worked with Ashley at Dorset Plans to produce planning drawings on varying projects. Each time our requirements have been easily understood and drawings produced quickly with meticulous attention to detail and more importantly complied fully with local authority guidelines. Will definitely be using again and recommend.

Harjit Johal

Google review, October 2025

Ash at Dorset Plans Ltd was a pleasure to work with. They provided detailed and accurate floor plans for our house and extension, covering both planning and building regulations. Friendly, knowledgeable, and with a great eye for detail, they made the whole process smooth and stress-free. Highly recommended!

Steve Willington

Google review, October 2025

Read all 21 reviews on Google

Everything You Need to Know

Can't find the answer you're looking for? Contact us on 07400 722994 or info@dorsetplans.com.

Discuss your project

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