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Rich is the homeowner whose pleasures do not depend upon the permission of others...

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Planning permission is usually required when you want to extend your home. However as from April 2009, due to the amendments to the planning law in October 2008, changes to the planning system mean that home homeowners may no longer need planning permission for small extensions, loft conversions and conservatories.

Because extensions are the most popular and often most effective means of increasing the living area of your home we have created a service specifically tailored around the new planning regulations.

If you are in need of additional living space feel free to contact us to see how we can help extend your home without the usual cost and delay of obtaining planning approval. So you don't need to worry about getting out your tape measure or talking to your local council if you are not sure about how the new rules apply to you, we will do everything for you.

In a nutshell, here are the new rules for extending your home:


Loft conversions and Extensions to Terraced Homes:

You may carry out a loft conversion up to 20cm back from the eaves of the roof with a maximum volume of 40m3.

You can go back a maximum of 3m from the original house.

Loft Conversions and Extensions to Semi-Detached homes:

You may carry out a loft conversion up to 20cm back from the eaves of the roof or have a maximum volume of 50 m3.

If you want to carry out a single or two-storey rear extension then you can go back a maximum of 3m from original house.

Non overbearing loft conversions on all properties will be granted automatic permission.

 

There are however still certain occasions where you are required to apply for planning permission: 

 

  • You want to make additions or extensions to your property that differ from the above rule of thumb (especially if your property is a listed building).

  • You want to challenge the existing terms of the original planning permission for your property.

  • You want to divide off part of your property to create a separate property.

  • You want to build a parking place for commercial vehicles.

  • The work you want to do obstructs the view of road users.

  • You want to develop a separate building in your garden.

  • You want to divide off part of your home for business or commercial use.


If you do need planning permission visit our planning permission page to find out how we can help you.

 

Caution!

The responsibility for having planning permission rests with you. If you commence work without planning permission your local authority may ask you to make a retrospective planning application. This does not guarantee you permission and you may be asked to stop work and reverse the work you have done. This can be a costly exercise. You can appeal against this decision but if your appeal is denied and you continue to not comply you may face prosecution.