How we write these guides

Primary sources first

Every statement about the law is written from the law itself: the legislation on legislation.gov.uk first, then government guidance on gov.uk, the Planning Portal, Historic England, the Environment Agency and the council concerned. Each guide names the section, regulation or Class it rests on, so you can check it rather than take our word for it.

We read other websites to see what people are asking. We do not use them as a source for what the law says.

Checked, and dated

Every guide shows the date its law was last checked. Each tool also shows a version number, which changes whenever a rule inside it changes. A rule changes only after we have read the new legislation or guidance itself, never on the strength of an article reporting it.

What we will not do

• Invent a figure, or quote one we cannot point to a source for.
• Use fear to sell a service.
• Say that a project is permitted, compliant or approved. Only a council's decision or certificate can do that.
• Use a professional title we do not hold. The law protects one title in this field, and nobody at the practice uses it.
• Publish a page about a place we do not know, or a project that did not happen.

Guidance, not advice

The guides explain what the law says and how it usually works out on homes in England. The tools give general guidance from the answers you enter. Neither can see your site, your deeds or the council's records, and neither is advice on your project. Where a project is unusual, the answer is a conversation. Website terms.

England only

Planning and building control law differs in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Everything here is written for England.

Who is responsible

Parallel Architecture is led by two directors, who are responsible for what is published here.

• Robbie Thompson, BA (Hons) Dip Arch, SMSTS, with over 15 years in architecture and construction.
• James Nicholson, BSc (Hons) Architectural Technology, with over 20 years in architecture and construction, including site and project management.

Tell us if something is wrong

If you think a page is wrong, email [email protected]. We will check it against the source, then correct it or explain how we read it.