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How To Extend Your Home Without The Need For Planning Permission (and Annoying The Neighbours)

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Sally Tagg is the Planning Expert for The National Homebuilding & Renovating Show and is a charted town and transport planner, who has worked in the self-build industry throughout the UK. She explains how, thanks to ‘permitted development rights’, homeowners can make minor changes to their properties without having to go through a lengthy planning process.

‘Permitted development rights’ allow changes to be made to buildings without having to apply for planning permission. In 2008 these rights were clarified and extended to cover more household building projects.

“Projects under this banner now include extensions and conservatories; loft conversions; solar panel fitting; roof alterations and patios & driveways as long as they meet certain conditions for example the dimensions and positions of extensions. Check these out here.

“However, do keep in mind that permitted development rights do not apply to flats, maisonettes or other buildings and that in some areas of the country, known generally as 'designated areas', they are more restricted. If you live in a Conservation Area, a National Park, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or the Norfolk or Suffolk Broads, you will need to apply for planning permission for certain types of work which do not need an application in other areas. Listed buildings too have different requirements.
“Before making an application, consult with neighbours who might be affected by your proposal as well as the local parish, town or community council, to take their views into account.
“And in the more complicated cases, it’s wise to consider consulting other bodies which might have an interest, such as the Environment Agency and local water and sewage companies to do with any potential flooding issues; the Highways Authority with regards to road safety and traffic; and the Health and Safety executive to look at possible dangerous material being used in the construction.”

“As with all building work, the owner of the property or land in question is ultimately responsible for complying with the relevant planning rules and building regulations. So it is always an extremely good idea to discuss your plans, whatever they are, with the relevant local planning authority and building control service (which depends on the region and environment you live in) before starting any work. “If a person carrying out building work contravenes the building regulations, the local authority or another person may decide to take them to the magistrates' court where they could be fined up to £5,000 for the contravention and up to £50 for each day the contravention continues after conviction (section 35 of the Building Act 1984). This action will usually be taken against the builder or main contractor, and proceedings must be taken within two years from the completion of the work. This cost of planning applications is not massive, but all applications are different and it is difficult to give hard and fast prices. However, an outline planning application to extend an ordinary house in England is likely to cost £135. The Government’s planning portal has an online charges calculator, which work out the cost of any particular planning application for householder developments.

A Guide to the Fees for Planning Applications in England - February 2010
A Guide to the Fees for Welsh Planning Applications - April 2009

Sally will be at The National Homebuilding & Renovating Show, NEC Birmingham 24-27 March 2011, where she will be presenting seminars on the subject of planning permission, talking about how to get consent for your dream home, and how to make the system work for you.

She will also be available for individual consultations which will be free of charge and can be booked at the show.

For more information and tickets, visit www.homebuildingshow.co.uk or call the ticket hotline on 0844 581 1377. Tickets are £10 in advance or £14 on the door (children under 16 go free).