West of England Combined Authority (WECA) Planning Services

Planning applications, drawings, surveys & compliance reports across the West of England Combined Authority.

Planning World supports householder, commercial and regeneration projects across the West of England Combined Authority (WECA). We prepare planning applications, architectural drawings and technical reports that align with local plans, design codes and validation requirements across all WECA authorities.

Areas We Cover in the West of England

We work across all WECA constituent authorities:

• Bristol
• Bath & North East Somerset
• South Gloucestershire

Each authority has its own local plan, supplementary planning documents and design guidance. We ensure your drawings, statements and technical reports are tailored to the specific requirements of the relevant council.

Typical Projects We Handle Across WECA

• Householder extensions & alterations – single and two‑storey extensions, rear/side additions, dormers and roof alterations.
• Loft & garage conversions – additional bedrooms, home offices and ancillary accommodation.
• HMOs & flat conversions – small and large HMOs, subdivision of houses into flats, and associated amenity/parking considerations.
• Change of use – retail to café/restaurant, office to residential, community uses and other use‑class changes.
• Urban regeneration & mixed‑use schemes – particularly in Bristol and Bath city centres.
• Heritage‑sensitive developments – proposals in Bath’s World Heritage Site and conservation areas across the region.
• New build homes & infill developments – single plots, backland schemes and small residential developments.

Key Planning Considerations in the West of England

Across WECA, we routinely address:

• Design & character – ensuring proposals respect local character, scale and streetscene, especially in historic and Georgian neighbourhoods.
• Heritage & conservation – listed buildings, conservation areas and World Heritage‑related constraints, particularly in Bath.
• Residential amenity – daylight/sunlight, overlooking, overbearing impact and outdoor amenity space.
• Parking & highways – on‑plot parking, access, servicing, cycle storage and transport statements.
• Flood risk & drainage – especially in riverside and low‑lying areas across Bristol and Bath.
• Environmental & ecological constraints – biodiversity net gain, protected species and ecological assessments.
• Landscape & visual impact – relevant for hillside, valley and edge‑of‑settlement developments.

What Planning World Provides in WECA

• Planning applications – householder, full, outline, prior approval and change of use applications prepared and submitted on your behalf.
• Architectural drawings – existing and proposed plans, elevations, sections and roof plans, prepared to local validation standards.
• 3D visuals & massing – optional 3D views to help explain scale, form and design intent to officers and neighbours.
• Planning statements – clear, policy‑led justification explaining how your proposal meets local and national policy.
• Technical reports – coordination of specialist inputs such as flood risk, transport, daylight/sunlight, ecology or heritage where required.
• Legal & compliance drawings – lease plans, title plans and party wall drawings where projects move into legal or construction stages.

How We Work With You

1. Initial review – you share your address, outline proposal and any existing drawings or photos.
2. Feasibility & risk – we flag key constraints (policy, design, amenity, highways, heritage) and outline realistic routes to permission.
3. Scope & fee – we confirm the drawings, reports and application type required, along with a clear fixed fee.
4. Design & iteration – we prepare draft drawings, refine them with you, and ensure they align with local guidance.
5. Submission & liaison – we submit the application, respond to validation queries and support you through determination.

Downloadable West of England Planning Summary (Optional)

If you’d like a printable overview, we can provide a PDF summarising:

• Authorities covered and typical project types.
• Key planning considerations across the West of England.
• What Planning World provides for WECA projects.

Explore Other Regions

• View all UK regions & Combined Authorities
• Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority
• East Midlands Combined County Authority

Ready to discuss a project in the West of England? Share your postcode, a short description of the proposal and any existing plans. We’ll confirm the likely planning route and the drawings and reports you’ll need.