Prior Approval in
Craigavon
A full planning application isn’t always the fastest way to get building work started in Craigavon. Prior approval covers a specific set of projects, larger extensions, certain change of use conversions, demolition, with the council legally required to decide within a set number of days rather than the usual open-ended timeline.
Get StartedThe Statutory Deadline Explained For Craigavon
Craigavon’s planning team handles prior approval submissions differently to standard applications, working to a statutory clock that starts once a valid submission’s received. Miss the council’s deadline, and in many cases the development can proceed without their explicit sign-off, though that’s rarely something worth relying on deliberately.
The range of projects genuinely covered is specific: larger rear extensions beyond normal permitted development limits, office or commercial buildings converting to residential under Class MA, agricultural buildings converting to residential under Class Q, demolition, and larger extensions to industrial or warehouse buildings.
Confirming eligibility properly comes first for any Craigavon enquiry, not assuming a project qualifies for prior approval just because it sounds similar to one that does.
Right Route Confirmed
We check prior approval genuinely applies
Statutory Timescale
42 or 56 days, by law
Focused Submission
Built around what’s actually assessed
Fast Turnaround
Applications moved along quickly
How We Help in Craigavon
Every Craigavon project starts with confirming which prior approval category genuinely applies, and whether the specific conditions attached to that category are actually met.
From there we prepare a focused submission covering exactly what the council’s entitled to assess, nothing padded out with irrelevant detail that slows things down.
Given how time-sensitive prior approval genuinely is, we monitor your Craigavon submission right through to the statutory deadline, responding to anything raised promptly.
The Careful Approach To Craigavon Prior Approval
We’d rather confirm honestly that your Craigavon project doesn’t qualify for prior approval than submit something destined to fail on a technicality.
We treat the statutory deadline for Craigavon projects as something to work with properly, not race against carelessly, since a poor submission can still fail even on a fast track.
Prior approval genuinely doesn’t fit every Craigavon project, and we’d rather steer you toward the right route from the start than force a poor fit.
Not sure whether your project needs house extension planning permission instead? We check that too, before recommending prior approval as the route.
Get Your Prior Approval Submission Started
Prior Approval FAQs for Craigavon
What projects actually qualify for prior approval in Craigavon?
Larger single-storey rear extensions beyond standard permitted development limits, office or commercial to residential conversion under Class MA, agricultural to residential conversion under Class Q, demolition, and larger extensions to industrial or warehouse buildings all use this route in Craigavon.
What’s the statutory deadline for Craigavon prior approval?
Typically 42 days for larger extensions, or 56 days for several of the other categories, a legal deadline that applies once Craigavon’s council has a valid submission in hand.
Can Craigavon’s council refuse prior approval for any reason they like?
No, Craigavon’s planning team can only consider the specific matters defined in the relevant legislation for that category, not the full range of considerations a standard application allows.
Can I still get planning permission if prior approval isn’t right for my project?
Yes, if your Craigavon project doesn’t meet prior approval conditions, we simply prepare it as a standard planning application instead, the route changes but the project can usually still proceed.
How does Class MA relate to change of use for Craigavon properties?
Class MA is specifically about change of use for Craigavon properties, converting shops, offices, and similar commercial space to residential, a category we also cover in more depth on our change of use planning permission.
Do I pay anything before you confirm my Craigavon route?
Yes, confirming whether your Craigavon project genuinely qualifies costs nothing, that comes before any discussion of fees for preparing the actual submission.