We are planning a two storey rear and side extension. We started planning it at the beginning of the year. After much dithering on our part, with multiple changes made to the plans, we have finally agreed on a plan with the architect, and it was submitted to planning at the council last week. They estimate 8 weeks for a response. I thought there was finally light at the end of the tunnel and we might just manage to be finished for Christmas. I was all set to start contacting builders for formal quotes. But now our architect tells us that we need more detailed plans for building quotes, with details of suppliers etc, and that these detailed plans need to be submitted to building control at the council. Estimating 4-6 weeks until plans are ready, and building control will take 5-6 weeks to respond. We can use the same plans to put tenders out to builders and can do this whilst waiting for a response from building control, but (as we understand it) cannot (or should not)start building until we have permission from both planning and building control. It seems like such a complicated and time consuming process, and we're just desperate to get things started. Is this right or have we misunderstood somewhere??