Do I Need Planning Permission?

This is the first question that anyone considering adding a conservatory or orangery to their home should ask as the proposed extension should only be built once this has been determined.

There have been countless examples of planning laws being infringed and those involved have instantly regretted their actions as planning departments often aren’t shy to come down hard on them.

Planners have the power to ask that adjustments and modifications be made to an existing structure to ensure that it falls in line with planning laws. Once these have been done, a retrospective planning application has to be submitted and won’t necessarily be accepted if it is felt that the extension still falls short of the guidelines. There’s even the potential of them ordering the structure to be completely torn down in some circumstances.

The contravening of planning laws can also be a problem when it comes to selling a property. Any informed buyer will want to see proof that the extension satisfies planning requirements and if the seller is unable to give this, they’re likely to walk away from the sale.

When an extension meets these limits and conditions you’re free to go ahead with the installation:

• No more than half the area of land around the “original house”* would be covered by additions or other buildings.
• No extension forward of the principal elevation or side elevation fronting a highway.
• No extension to be higher than the highest part of the roof.
• Single-storey rear extension must not extend beyond the rear wall of the original house* by more than three metres if an attached house or by four metres if a detached house.
• In addition, outside Article 2(3) designated land* and Sites of Special Scientific Interest the limit is increased to 6m if an attached house and 8m if a detached house until 30 May 2019.
• Maximum height of a single-storey rear extension of four metres.
• Extensions of more than one storey must not extend beyond the rear wall of the original house* by more than three metres.
• Maximum eaves height of an extension within two metres of the boundary of three metres.
• Maximum eaves and ridge height of extension no higher than existing house.
• Side extensions to be single storey with maximum height of four metres and width no more than half that of the original house.
• Two-storey extensions no closer than seven metres to rear boundary.
• Roof pitch of extensions higher than one storey to match existing house.
• Materials to be similar in appearance to the existing house.
• No verandas, balconies or raised platforms.
• Upper-floor, side-facing windows to be obscure-glazed; any opening to be 1.7m above the floor.
• On designated land* no permitted development for rear extensions of more than one storey.
• On designated land no cladding of the exterior.
• On designated land no side extensions.

* The term “original house” means the house as it was first built or as it stood on 1 July 1948 (if it was built before that date). Although you may not have built an extension to the house, a previous owner may have done so.

* Designated land includes conservation areas, national parks and the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and World Heritage Sites.

Any extension with “Permitted Development Rights” also has automatic planning permission, namely single storey rear extensions between 3 metres and 6 metres (for an attached house) and 4 metres and 8 metres (for a detached house) built before 30^th May 2019.

Permaframe knows planning better than anybody

Should you have any doubts about whether you need planning permission before the construction of an extension at you home, just speak to Permaframe. Contact us for a quick chat.