Certificate of Lawfulness in New Forest — Permitted Development Proof
A legal document confirming your extension falls within Permitted Development rights. Protects you at resale — mortgage lenders and solicitors expect it.
What's included
- Existing and proposed floor plans
- Elevation drawings
- Site plan and block plan
- PD compliance assessment
- Council application and liaison
Certificate of Lawfulness in New Forest
A Certificate of Lawfulness (CLPUD) is a legal document confirming your extension falls within Permitted Development rights. It is not planning permission — it is proof that you don't need it. In New Forest, where a diverse range from chocolate-box New Forest cottages to modern estates in Totton, waterfront properties in Lymington, and suburban homes in Hythe, this certificate protects you when you come to sell.
Why you need one
Mortgage lenders, solicitors, and buyers expect documentary proof that extensions were built legally. Without a certificate, a future buyer's solicitor may raise enquiries that delay or derail your sale.
PD rules in New Forest
Much of the New Forest falls within the New Forest National Park, which has its own planning authority (NFNPA). Properties inside the National Park have significantly reduced Permitted Development rights. Properties outside the park boundary but within the district follow standard PD rules. Check whether your property is inside the National Park boundary — the line is not obvious. Inside the park, the NFNPA is the planning authority with stricter rules than the district council We assess your property against all PD conditions before applying — if your project doesn't qualify, we tell you upfront and recommend the planning application route instead.
What we submit
Existing and proposed floor plans, elevation drawings, a site plan, and a compliance statement demonstrating how the proposal meets every PD condition. We submit to New Forest District Council and manage the process through to the certificate being issued.
Typical properties in New Forest
Forest cottages at Appleslade Bottom near Linwood — cluster of traditional New Forest dwellings
Fig. 2
Holly Hatch Cottage beside Dockens Water — a remote forest keeper's residence in the New Forest
Fig. 3
Lawfulness Cert questions in New Forest
Lawfulness Cert in other areas
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3D Laser Survey
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A 1.5-hour on-site visit with a 3D laser scanner to capture millimetre-accurate measurements of your property. The foundation for precise structural calculations and planning drawings.
Structural Calculations
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Engineer-certified structural calculations for your extension or wall removal. Covers beam sizing, foundation design, and Building Regulations compliance.
Planning Application
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Full householder planning application preparation and submission. We handle the drawings, design and access statement, and council liaison from start to finish.
Building Regulations Drawings
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Technical construction detail drawings that satisfy Building Regulations. Covers insulation, drainage, structural details, and everything your builder and building control need.
Floor Plans
Quoted after the survey
Measured floor plans for Poole renovation, extension and structural alteration projects before pricing, engineering, planning or Building Control.
Ready to get started in New Forest?
Certificate of Lawfulness. Project-specific pricing, no obligation.
Every plan drawn in Poole, Dorset
Serving homeowners across Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch, Wimborne, Wareham, and the wider Dorset area.
Useful links for New Forest homeowners
External resources we recommend. Links open in a new tab.
Local Authority
- New Forest District Council PlanningNFDC planning guidance and application forms
- New Forest National Park Authority PlanningNFNPA planning portal — separate from district council
- NFDC Conservation AreasMaps and appraisals for district conservation areas
- Check long-term flood riskEnvironment Agency service — enter your postcode