Planning permission is a relatively recent development and dates from the late nineteenth century in most places.
Once introduced, all new buildings and extensions had to have plans drawn up by an architect. Many archives have large collections of these plans as the local authority, generally also the planning authority, kept copies. They can relate to individual domestic or public buildings or to whole housing estates. Plans were drawn up for public buildings such as schools before this date.
Architects' plans are attractive as well as informative and you may be able to obtain photocopies although there will often be restrictions due to size or condition.
Archive repositories
See also the section on Find Sources
Follow any of the links below for more information on basic sources and ideas on how to use them
Studying Your Locality : Historic Maps : Trade Directories : Newspapers and Magazines : Government Commissions and Reports : Photographs : Census : Official Guides : Estate Agent Records : Taxes and Rating Records : Probate Inventories : Church Registers