House Extension Rules: No Planning Needed?

House Extension Rules: No Planning Needed?

Introduction

When one wonders whether they want to create an extension on their house, one of the first questions most people ask themselves is: Do I need to get a house extension? The prospect of having more room to live in is very enticing. Before embarking on the building process, it is important to be aware of the legal issues that accompany house extensions, most notably the planning permissions. This blog will take you through the rules and regulations with particular mention to house extension in London, costs involved, and how you may be able to extend your house without ever requiring planning permission.

Being professionals on the market, Kromrych Builders is at hand to shed light and professional knowledge on the aspects of house extension permission, the planning process itself, as well as viable options in case the extension is constructed without official authorization.

Do I Need Planning Permission for a House Extension?

Whether or not you would get planning permission when extending your house is determined by a number of factors. Major renovations in existence and or the visualization of the house usually require planning permission. Nonetheless, there are a few variations that might not need consent to planning, termed as Permitted Development Rights (PDR).

The Permitted Development Rights exist to enable homeowners to perform some work without planning permission. Local authorities grant these rights and are normally more relaxed in locations that are not subject to other controls (such as conservation areas or listed buildings).

How Much Does It Cost to Add an Extension to Your House?

The price of a house extension might differ significantly depending on the expansion magnitude, material arrangement, and the undertaken project. The prices in London tend to be more expensive as compared to the rest of the UK, and the explanation is that more services are in demand, and it is also more costly to live.

• One-storey extension: In the case of a one-storey extension, the price will also begin at approximately 1200 pounds per square metre. Where the extensions are more complex or luxury, the price may increase to 2,500 per square metre.
• Two-storey addition: A two-storey addition can cost more than the average of 1,500 to 3,000 pounds per square metre, according to design and finish.
• Roof Extensions: Installing a roof extension or loft conversion will set you back about 1.500 to 2.500 per square metre.

The cost may fluctuate, although to obtain a correct estimation, you are welcome to consult experienced builders such as Kromrych Builders, depending on your needs and location.

House Extension Approval and Planning Permission Process

When making an extension on your house, you must seek planning permission for the house extension in case it is not under Permitted Development Rights. This entails submission of the plans of your proposed extension to your local council to be perused. That is a summary of the procedure:

• Pre-Application Advice: Other councils also provide pre-application advice, and by making an application, you can give pre-application advice so that you can see whether your plans are likely to pass the planning test.
• Planning Permission: Filing an Enforcement of Planning permission means presenting the case to the local council of the place with architectural drawings and information about the material, design, and effects of the proposed extension.
• Planning Committee Decision: The planning committee created by the council will approve or reject your application after reviewing your application. You can be asked to adjust the design to fit some guidelines.
• Building Regulations Approval: You will be required, even with an approved planning permission, to apply for the building regulations. This ensures the construction is up to safety and structure standards.

Can You Have a  3-metre house Extension Without Planning Permission?

Quite a number of homeowners would like to know whether they can add three metres to their houses without planning permission. Yes, in other cases under Permitted Development Rights, the extension should be okay.

According to the news, there was the possibility of some single-storey extensions to be up to 3 metres beyond the back wall of the house without having to acquire planning permission. This normally applies in terraced houses or semi-detached houses. But there are terms:

• Such extension should not be more than 4 metres in height.
• The extension will need to be one-storey.
• The extension is not allowed in an area of conservation or blocking the view of the community.

Detached houses have a maximum depth of 4 metres for a single-storey extension. Kromrych Builders is always ready to welcome clients who are at a crossroads or confused about whether or not their proposed extension can be covered under the Permitted Development Rights.

House Extension in London: Do You Need Permission?

Due to the specific regulations in the London area, house extensions might have even more limitations. The conservation areas, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), or listed buildings should be subject to a more searching investigation and might not fall under Permitted Development Rights. For example:

• Extension in Conservation Area: Extensions in conservation areas will again be difficult, as firstly, they may need full planning permission in order to make sure that the extension does not affect the existing character of the area.
• Listed Buildings: In listed buildings, all the extensions or alterations should be considered carefully to maintain the historical value of the building.

Considering that planning permission in London is relatively complex, we advise you to check with an experienced builder, knowledgeable of the area rules, when pursuing your project. At Kromrych Builders, this is not a new procedure to us, as we have developed a knack for how to sail through these regulations when extending a house in London.

Extension Without Planning Permission: What’s Possible?

Although house extensions of specific sorts can be constructed as part of the Permitted Development Rights without the need for planning permission, you should follow the strict rules. These are some of the examples of extensions that might not need planning permission:

• Single-Storey Extensions: As noted above, single-story extensions can be permitted to have an extension of up to 3 metres (on terraced or semi-detached houses) or 4 metres (on detached ones) under the condition:
• Roof Extensions: Roof extensions are also possible without the benefit of planning permission where they do not exceed a certain height and are design within the existing buildings.
• Porches: You may not need permission to build a porch to the front of your house, as long as it does not exceed the size limit set in local guidance.
• Conservatories: In many cases, it is possible to add a conservatory without planning permission, provided its size and position pass the criteria of Permitted Development Rights.

Nevertheless, although your extension may seem to fall within the scope of Permitted Development Rights, you will actually have to make sure that your proposals will comply with the building regulations. This involves ensuring that your extension is structurally sound, energy-efficient as well and code compliant in plumbing and electrical works.

Extended Permitted Development: What Does It Mean?

In 2015, the Extended Permitted Development regulations were introduced by the government, which enable slightly bigger extensions of houses without the full planning permission. The rules are mainly on behalf of the house owners who want to expand the back of their homes. They enable homeowners to erect projects as extensions to oneself with a maximum area of 6 metres (terraced houses) or 8 metres (detached dwellings) with conditions.

With longer permitted development, though, your local authority will still have to be informed, and there are also some limitations that may be applied.

Conclusion

Whether with a small single-storey extension pertaining to a house or a large two-storey one, the planning permission process can be daunting. Fortunately, with the knowledge of the Kromrych Builders, you are able to have your house extension done in a hassle-free manner, be it the granting of a permission or the dispensation of a consent.

We are among the top building firms in London and understand the local planning policies well, so we can assist you in knowing whether you need planning permission for your extension, or if it can be built under Permitted Development Rights. We will assist you throughout the process and turn your vision of the house extension into reality, starting with the first consultation to the project's completion.

When you are intending to build a house extension and would like professional guidance on planning, budget, or even the application procedure, give us a call today at Kromrych Builders, and you will get a free consultation. Don't worry, we are here to assist!