Are you planning on building a new home? Do you want to extend your commercial property? If the answer is yes, then you’re going to need building development approval for your project. Building development approval is required for a variety of projects and can be a complex and exhausting project. Construction projects are usually exciting and it can be easy to get lost in the organisation of designs and hiring of contractors, however, without development approval your project cannot begin.
Development approval is a legal document that gives you permission to undertake the construction of a development. In a development approval, the regulating authority (the NSW Government and council) will lay out the design and other documents that the development must follow in order to maintain permission for its construction.
You can acquire development approval through two different ways:
Development Application (DA) – this is a two-stage process that involves acquiring permission from your local council as well as submitting Construction Certificate (CC) for approval. A CC includes site plans, architectural plans, engineering plans, building specifications, fire safety and sustainability statements. This process can take up to 6 months.Complying Development Checklist (CDC)combines both of the above processes to create a much quicker process. However, this method can only be used for some straightforward developments – not all. You can expect this process to take between 3 and 4 months to complete.
Determining which application process you should use depends on a few different factors, including but not limited to:
The design and type of your buildingThe location of your buildingThe type of construction/additionThe application itself can be quite tedious to put together. You don’t just need a lot of information to be included in these applications, but you also need to fill out the correct forms and ensure that your project meets the required criteria.
Generally, applying for development approval can be an exhausting process. In this article, we’ll lay out a few tips that will make the process more bearable and help you ensure approval. Bear in mind that while these tips are meant to make your likelihood of approval much higher, we cannot guarantee it.
#1 Hire a professional building designer consultant to help with your application process
There are many wonderful companies in NSW that can help you through the application process for your development approval. As mentioned above, applications require a lot of time, energy and care in order to be successful. You will have to have a wealth of knowledge when it comes to state and council requirements and ensure that your building design plans and specifications comply.
A professional building consultant will have years in the industry and will make your chances of success much higher. Though they cannot guarantee it, they are more likely to get your application approved and can provide you with valuable insight into your design.
A common error that many property owners make is that they make changes to their design after getting their application approved. This leads to delays in the process as they have to get it re-approved (if the changes are major). With a building designer consultant, you will be professionally guided through the design process, reducing the likelihood of errors and delays.
#2 Be realistic
Too often property owners don’t realise that their council and state have restrictions. While you should be able to get the home of your dreams or the commercial property that fits your every need, sometimes it’s not possible in your council. These restrictions are meant to protect you as well as the people in your community. If something isn’t possible, then don’t include it in your plans – you will get rejected for your approval.
#3 Do your homework
Though we highly recommend hiring a professional building consultant, there’s no harm in also researching what is allowed and what isn’t. Most council sites have detailed information on what is allowed and what isn’t in your area. To help the process go much more smoothly with your consultant and to aid in your own understanding of what is possible with your design, we recommend researching the requirements and restrictions for your council.
#4 Drive through the area you intend to build/live in
If you’re building a brand new home in an area where you don’t currently live, then we recommend making yourself familiar with the area. Most councils will reject developments that lack any of the dominant local architectural features. For example, if you plan on living in a neighbourhood with mostly heritage-listed buildings and old homes with traditional architecture, then don’t plan on having a property with contemporary architecture approved. This isn’t the case for all councils, so do your research or ask your building consultant. It’s likely that they will be able to find a solution for you.
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