Planning authorities have tightened their restrictions on basements and require additional information with any basement application. However many people are surprised to learn that planning permission for basements can still be easier than for some other types of project.

This is because a basement will have no impact on the appearance of the house above ground, and a basement does not create overlooking or affect a neighbour’s amenity directly.

In fact, if the basement is just under the house (not the front or rear garden) it can even be Permitted Development. To satisfy the planning department a well written Basement Impact Assessment will need to be submitted as part of the planning application.