With the cost of moving house proving to be increasingly expensive, many home owners are choosing to improve their homes rather than move.

But before you make any additions to your property, it is important to make sure that you have the necessary planning permission.

The planning process is in place to prevent the construction of buildings which would spoil the character of an area or adversely affect the lives of nearby residents. It is also designed to provide developers, or anyone wishing to object to a proposed development, with an opportunity to have a fair hearing.

It is the job of the local planning authority, usually the council, to decide on applications, whether for something as small as a house extension or as large as a new shopping centre.

Once you have decided to go ahead with a project, you should initially contact the planning authority for advice. It is a good idea to meet with a planning officer who will be able to help you with the necessary paperwork such as the planning application forms and inform you whether your scheme actually requires planning permission.

Some smaller structures, including fences or walls below a certain height, most hedges and ground level work such as hard surfaces, do not need permission - but it's always worth checking, just in case.

When you have picked up an application form, you must decide which type of application you wish to make. This can be either an outline application or a full application. An outline application is for planning permission 'in principle', so detailed plans are not required at this stage. However, you must apply later for 'reserved matters' approval, which includes the siting, design, external appearance, means of access and landscaping of the proposed development.

An application for full planning permission requires all details of the plan to be submitted at once.

You must then submit your application form, along with all the relevant documents (plans etc), and the correct fee. The authority will then validate the application. The plans are then publicised by the authority, which includes publishing the basic details in a weekly list of all applications made to them. They may then consult with any relevant bodies, for example the Environment Agency, and also allow members of the public to view the plans and make their feelings known.

If there is a planning application you wish to object to, be sure to check whether a second duplicate' application has been made by the applicant, which is common with larger developments. Remember, if there are insufficient objections to the duplicate plans, they could be given the go ahead.

Depending on the size of the proposal, an application will usually be decided upon within eight weeks, either by a senior planning officer, or by a council committee made up of local councillors.

Planning meetings offer the chance for a representative of the plans' opponents to address the committee. A spokesperson for the applicants or supporters of the plans may also speak. Members of the committee must then decide whether or not to grant planning permission. They are elected to represent the views of the residents of their wards, so they must take into account any objections from the public.

There are several grounds on which applications can be rejected, including design - particularly if the plans are not considered to be in keeping with the surrounding area. Other factors include whether the proposed development lies in a conservation area or on an existing right of way.

If a planning application is rejected, the applicant has the right to appeal. This is heard by a government appointed planning inspector at a later date, and he or she can uphold the council's decision or overturn it.

For planning process information, go to the Government's Planning Portal website www.planningportal.gov.

The Royal Town Planning Institute offers free, independent help to those who cannot afford to hire a planning consultant, through its planning aid service. For more information log on to www.planningaid.rtpi.org.uk.