When planning to improve and extend your home, you don’t always need to have specific planning permission. There are a few improvements that you can carry out with implied consent, this is known as Permitted Development.
Make sure you are aware of the up to date rights before you carry out any significant work.
What is Permitted Development?
Permitted Development grants homeowners certain rights to undertake works without the need to apply for planning permission.
To take advantage of Permitted Development, it is essential to fully understand the criteria within the up to date laws. If you are unsure double-check whether you qualify for the implied consent of a Permitted Development with a qualified surveyor or your local authority.
Please note that these rules apply to the proposed extension and any previous extensions made to the property since 1948. The area you are allowed to extend by will be added together with the previous extension to give the total size of enlargement.
Extensions that add over 100 square metres of floor space may also be liable for a charge under the Community Infrastructure Levy.
Rules for all extensions
There are certain restrictions to Permitted Development rights. Any conservation areas are likely to be restricted. This is to protect the character of the local area. Also, flats and maisonettes are restricted as they will impact on the other parts of the building.
All Permitted Development requirements apply to the dwelling as it was originally built, or as it was prior to 1st July 1948.
As a general rule, only half the area of the land around the original house can be covered with extensions or other buildings. Builds must not be higher than the highest point of the existing roof.
Extensions shouldn’t be built forward from the principal elevation or the side elevation if it fronts the highway. There are also rules in place for balcony’s, cladding and other ‘external accessories’.
All materials used for exterior work must be similar in appearance to the exterior of the existing house.
Side extensions
Permitted Development for side extensions states that the side elevation must be single-storey and cannot exceed 4 metres in height. Unless it is a boundary extension, then it must not exceed 3 metres.
The maximum permitted width for a side extension is half the width of the original house.
Single storey extensions
Rear extensions must not extend beyond 4 metres of the wall of the original house for a detached home and 3 metres for any other. A single-storey rear extension must not exceed 4 metres in height.
You may be able to extend a single storey up to 8 metres on a detached property with a neighbour consultation scheme or up to 6 metres for all others.
Multi-storey extensions
Extensions of 2 or more storeys must be no more than 3 metres of the original rear wall of the house or be within 7 metres of the opposite rear boundary wall. Try to match the roof pitch with the original house. Any side windows on the upper floors have to be obscure glazed and non-opening in most cases.
Any side extensions that are multiple storeys will require planning permission. We would suggest that you read the rules in The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended) and, if in doubt, obtain advice from a professional surveyor or the local government.
Designated Land (Article 2(3) of the T&C planning)
Permitted Development is not permitted on designated land. This land includes:
- Conservation areas and areas of outstanding natural beauty
- National Parks or World Heritage Sites
- The Broads
- Areas specified by the Secretary of State that are used for the purpose of enhancement and protection of the natural beauty and amenity to the countryside.
A key change to Permitted Development Rights in 2019
The right to build larger single-storey extensions under Class A was introduced due to the relaxation of the regulations in 2012. The idea is to encourage development and to take the pressure off the planning departments that dealt with processing applications.
The key thing to remember if you are going to build a larger extension under the Permitted Development Rights is that you must obtain prior approval.
We are here to help
If you are unsure about whether your planned extension falls into the category of Permitted Development, we can help. Why not give one of our experts here at Precision Builders a call to discuss your plans.
Call us today for advice on any of your building projects on 01452 504525.
