House Extensions - What You Should Know Before You Start! As you might be aware House Extensions come in all sort of shapes and sizes – from a single-storey, two-storey to wraparound or to the side.
If you are looking for more information on planning permission for an extension to a flat, maisonette, listed building or a type of building that isn’t a house, it’s important to consult your local architect who will be able to act on your behalf when it comes to applying for planning permission. More info on http://www.simplylondonbuilders.co.uk/house-extensionslondon
In some instances an extension or addition to your house can be considered to be a permitted development that means you wouldn’t need planning permission for an extension. If that’s the case, you would not be required to gain any permission. This is however subject to certain limits and criteria.
To summarize, even if your house extension can be built under Permitted Development rights and won’t need planning permission, work still must get Building Regulations approval. It may be that your extensions do not require planning permission but will require building regulations, your local architect will know what will be required and ensure that all relevant consents will be obtained for your project. The Building Regulations set out minimum requirements for structural integrity, fire safety, energy efficiency, damp proofing, ventilation and other key aspects that ensure a building is safe.
Party Wall Act. What is it? The Party Wall Act etc. 1996 allows you to carry out work on, or up to, your neighbours’ land and buildings, formalising the arrangements while also protecting everyone’s interests. This is not a matter covered by planning or building control. If your house extension involves building or digging foundations within 3m of the boundary, party wall or party wall structure, or digging foundations within 6m of a boundary, the work will require you to comply with the Party Wall Act. In these cases you may need a surveyor to act on your behalf.
You will need planning permission for an extension, some of the following points are considered:
The size of the extension can be no more than half the area of land around the "original house". This includes the time since the property was originally built, so you must also consider whether any previous owners have carried out any extension works.
No extension can be built under the permitted developments rules if the extension, once finished, is nearer the public highway either by way of front elevation or side. If it is nearer to the public highway, you would require planning permission for an extension.
No extension can be higher than the highest part of the roof. If it would be taller than the roof, you would require planning permission for the extension.
Single-storey rear extensions must not extend beyond the rear wall of the original house by more than three metres (if a semi-detached house) or by four metres (if a detached house).
The maximum height of a single-storey rear extension should be four metres to avoid having to get planning permission for an extension.
Extensions of more than one storey must not extend beyond the rear wall of the original house by more than three metres. Anything more than three metres and you would require planning permission for the extension.
The maximum eaves and ridge height of your extension must be no higher than the existing house.
Side extensions must be single storey, with a maximum height of four metres and a width no more than half that of the original house.
Two-storey extensions must be no closer than seven metres to the rear boundary. If it is closer than seven meters to the rear boundary, then you would need planning permission for the extension.
Materials used for the extension should be similar in appearance to the existing house. If you wanted to use different materials, then you would need to get planning permission for your extension.
. Learn about the criteria on the Gov.uk website.