Do I need Planning Permission for an extension?
Published: April 12, 2012
This will of course depend on the nature of the work you are intending to do. The responsibility for gaining necessary consents rests with the owner of the property. It is the owner who will be liable for any rectification works, so it always pays to find out.
Many common projects can fall outside the scope of planning permission and these include conservatories, outbuildings, porches, loft conversions, single and even two storey extensions. There is always a catch; there are limits to size, height, volume, proximity to boundaries and even the direction the proposal faces.
For example, you may add a porch to any external door provided the ground area of the porch is less than 3 metres and no part of the porch can be closer than 2 metres to a boundary that fronts a highway. Simple! However if you live in a conservation area your permitted developments might have been removed. The same applies to National Parks, the Broads, World Heritage sites, this list is not exhaustive.
Furthermore if you have already extended your house or it has been extended since 1st July 1948 then your permitted development rights may have been used up.
Before starting any work it is advisable to find out if your project does or doesn’t require planning permission, this can be done by speaking to someone with experience or writing to the council with your proposals. Even if your project doesn’t require planning permission it may well require building regulations approval, or be built and inspected in accordance with building regulations. Again remember that it is the responsibility of the owner and the person carrying out the work to comply. Some projects fall outside the scope of building control, generally those which do not create habitable rooms (up to a certain footprint).
Additional information and detailed guides are available on the Planning Portal website (www.planningportal.gov.uk). If this all seems too involved then advice from a competent builder or other professional should be readily available.
Remember, some building companies are able to assist at all stages of your project.
Disclaimer – John Barry Development provides advice at no charge and in good faith for consideration only. We do not warrant the implementation of its content and are to be held harmless when and if any advice or ideas provided are utilized. The risk from using it lies entirely with the user.