Planning-stage structural feasibility note
A short structural note at planning stage confirming that a scheme can be built and how.
About this service
Some planning applications stall on a simple question: can this actually be built? Planning officers are not engineers, and when a scheme involves a deep excavation, a large rooftop addition or a building on a tight plot, they may want reassurance from someone who is. A planning-stage structural feasibility note gives them that in a few pages, setting out how the proposal would stand up and confirming that it is buildable in principle.
The note is deliberately short. It is not a full design and it does not contain calculations for Building Control. Instead it describes the likely structural form, such as where new loads go, what kind of foundations are expected and how existing walls will be supported during the works. That is usually enough for an officer to move on, without you paying for detailed design before permission is granted.
We write these notes for homeowners, small developers and architects across London, often for upward extensions, rear additions on sloping sites and schemes close to boundaries. If your project includes a basement, the council may want a fuller document such as a structural planning statement or a Basement Impact Assessment instead. We will tell you at the outset which one fits, so you do not buy the wrong report.
When you need it
- Your planning application needs a structural note
- The council has asked how a scheme will be built
What's included
- Review of the proposals
- Outline structural approach
- Confirmation of feasibility
How it works
- Check what the council wantsWe read the validation checklist, any pre-application advice and officer emails to understand exactly what structural information has been asked for, and at what level of detail.
- Review the drawingsWe study the architect's planning drawings alongside available information on the existing building, the site and the ground, and visit if the scheme or the site makes that necessary.
- Set out the structural approachWe describe the proposed structural form in plain terms: how loads travel to the ground, the likely foundation type, and any temporary support needed to build it safely.
- Issue the noteThe note is checked through our three-step quality control process, with final sign-off by our Head of Engineering, then issued as a PDF ready to upload with your application.
What you receive
How much structural detail a planning officer actually needs
At planning stage the council is judging whether a scheme is acceptable, not checking beam sizes. Too little information can lead to a request for more, but too much commits you to a design before the layout has settled. A good feasibility note sits in between. It names the structural principle, explains any unusual risk and shows that a competent engineer has looked at it, leaving detailed sizing to the Building Regulations stage.
The note is also useful beyond the application. Your architect can use it to fix wall thicknesses and floor zones, and your builder can price with fewer unknowns. Once permission is granted, the same thinking feeds straight into the detailed calculations, whether that is an extension structural package or a loft scheme. Our guide to Building Control and structural work explains what happens next.
Projects that used this service
Frequently asked questions
What is a structural feasibility note for planning?
It is a short report from a structural engineer confirming that a proposed scheme can be built and outlining how. It describes the structural approach, the likely foundations and any temporary support, without the detailed calculations needed later for Building Control. Councils ask for one when a scheme looks technically challenging and they want reassurance that it is realistic before granting permission.
Does a planning application need structural calculations?
Usually not. Planning decides whether a development is acceptable in principle, while Building Control checks the structure in detail. Some councils do want structural information at planning stage for basements, upward extensions, heritage buildings or work near boundaries. A feasibility note normally satisfies that without full calculations, and detailed design follows once permission is granted.
How much does a planning-stage structural note cost?
Our planning-stage structural feasibility note starts from £400 + VAT. The final fee depends on the size and complexity of the scheme and whether a site visit is needed. We confirm a fixed fee in writing before any work starts, along with the turnaround, which is typically 10 working days.
Is a feasibility note the same as a structural planning statement?
No. A feasibility note is brief and confirms that a scheme can be built. A structural planning statement is fuller, covering construction sequence and protection of neighbouring buildings and heritage fabric, often with sketches. Councils tend to ask for the fuller statement on basements, listed buildings and significant alterations. If you are unsure which you need, send us the council's request and we will advise.