House Extensions

 

Introduction

 

The general planning principles and the procedures when proposing an extension or works to a residential property can be found on the Planning Portal website. This is an interactive service that advises on works that are permitted development and what works require the benefit of planning permission. Please follow this link to the Planning Portal website and follow the advice, any queries can be dealt with by contacting the Planning Department. The Planning Portal also offers a wide range of services and guidance on the planning system and there is a range of advice about the need for permission, how the sytem works and how decisions are made on the website,  

 

Is Planning Permission Required?

 

There are many kinds of alterations and additions to houses for which you do not need to apply for planning permission . The Government has set out rules nationally which say what does and doesn’t need planning permission.  This is known as permitted development. These rules were amended on 1^st October 2008, making changes to how the limits of permitted development are considered and calculated. A precis of these changes can be found by clicking here.

 

Permitted development allows householders to undertake alterations, minor extensions as well as erect buildings and structures without planning permission in certain circumstances.

 

Whether you require planning permission for your extension or the works are permitted development relies on a number of factors:

 

• The size and position of the alterations
• The size of your house
• Whether the house is terraced, semi-detached or detached
• Whether you live in a Conservation Area
• Whether there are special planning controls in your area
• Whether the house has been extended before
• Whether you have outbuildings in the garden
• The proximity of your curtilage boundaries to the extension

 

The rules are very complex and too detailed to explain here in full but we offer a free and efficient service to determine whether your proposal requires permission. There is also a very useful guide on the Planning Portal Website, which includes a visual house which guides you through the new rules, follow the highlighted link to the website. Guidance has now been published that gives technical guidance for the majority of developments under Part 1 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995, in particular the changes made in October 2008, follow the link to the Technical Guidance to be directed to the webpage.

 

The following are common examples of when you may need to apply for planning permission.

 

• You want to make additions or extensions to a flat or maisonette.
• You want to divide off part of your house for use as a separate home or use a building or caravan in your garden as a separate residence for someone else.
• You want to build a separate house in your garden.
• You want to divide off part of your home for business or commercial use or you want to build a parking place for a commercial vehicle.
• You want to build something which goes against the terms of the original planning permission for your house.
• The work you want to do might obstruct the view of road users.
• The work would involve a new or wider access to a trunk or classified road.

How Do I Find Out Whether I Need to Apply for Planning Permission?

 

If you are in any doubt about whether you need to apply, you can contact us and fill in a Domestic Enquiry Form or do a search on the Planning Portal Website which gives information on planning, with a visual guide to planning, a volume calculator and other useful information.

 

Please be aware that we will not normally be able to confirm over the telephone or in reception whether you need permission as the rules are so complex. It is preferable to complete in our Domestic Enquiry Form which collects all of the necessary detail for a definitive position to be established. The Domestic Enquiry Form is a free and non-statutory service. You can also apply for a formal decision (a fee is required) to establish whether permission is required. This is known as a Lawful Development Certificate.

 

Other Controls Over Extending Your Property

 

There are also different requirements if your house is a Listed Building or in a Conservation Area. You may require Listed Building Consent for the works; however, it is advisable to contact the planning department before commencing works to a Listed Building.

 

The Council provides advice as to the need for planning permission and the factors that will be taken into account in deciding whether or not it will be granted. Further detail about the objectives of the planning system and how decisions are made is available from the Development Control home page.

 

When you embark on the construction of an extension to your property, it more than likely that you would also require the benefit of approval under the Building Regulations. For advice on these Regulations, please follow the link to the Building Regulations homepages.

 

Applying for planning permission

 

Please visit the Planning Application Forms and Guidance section of this website to obtain forms for all types of application, notes to assist their completion and fee requirements. ]