Planning and start readiness

Can a builder start once planning permission is granted?

A plain-English distinction between having permission and having a coordinated, supportable route to construction.

Decision guidePublishedReviewed 26 August 2026

The practical answer

Do not treat one encouraging document or assurance as the whole start position.

Use it when a permission has been issued and a contractor or adviser is treating that as the project start signal. Start-Ready brings the immediate decision back to the evidence that supports it, the matters that remain assumptions and the person who normally needs to respond.

The correct answer depends on the project documents, property arrangements and current professional advice. This guide provides a structured owner-side route, not a project-specific determination.

What this resource contains

  • The separate approvals and consents that may still apply
  • A pre-commencement condition check
  • Questions to put to the professional team before fixing the date

Questions to put on the record

  1. Which conditions restrict commencement?
  2. Does Building Control have the information it needs?
  3. Do neighbour, landlord and access matters support the date?

Sources and boundaries

Author: Anthony Lilley for Planning & Project Advisory Ltd. London-based planning, design coordination and owner-side project context.

Limit: This material is not legal advice, technical approval, a compliance certificate or authority to commence work.

Apply it to your project

Check your own position first. Ask for help only if one issue still needs a clear way forward.

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