Planning Application
A Planning Application to a Local Authority for proposed domestic development will need to have the necessary drawings and documents prepared for the submission:
- elevations and floor plans of the existing property
- elevations and floor plans of the proposed development
- site and location plans
The Local Authority is concerned with the use, appearance and size of the development as well as it's impact on the immediate area.
We would:
- prepare two to three design options taking into consideration:
- client’s requirements
- ease of construction
- most cost effective solution
- meet to discuss options and agree on the final design that would be developed into Planning Application drawings
- prepare and lodge Planning Application
- negotiate with Local Authority until receipt of decision notice
The Planning Permission is valid for 3 years from the date of decision notice.
Permitted Development Rights
Important changes to the planning system were introduced on 1 October 2008 in the form of Permitted Development Rights, allowing certain forms of development without the need to obtain formal Planning Permission.
They could be summarized as follows:
Rear and side extensions
- Permission to build a single storey rear extension up to 4m (in the case of a detached house) or 3m (in the case of any other house) out from the rear wall of the original house.
- Permission to build a 2-storey rear extension up to 3m behind the rear wall of the existing house, but not extending closer than 7m from the rear boundary of the property.
- Permission to build a single storey side extension not exceeding 4m in height, no wider than half the width of the original house and which does not front a highway.
Loft conversions and other roof extensions
- The volume of the roof space is not increased by more than 40 cubic meters in the case of a terraced house or 50 cubic meters in any other case.
- They do not extend beyond the plane of the existing roof slope which forms the main elevation of the house fronting the highway and
- Any enlargement, except of hip-to-gable construction, must be set back at least 20cm from the eaves, so as to avoid an entire roof being replaced.
For more details refer to www.planningportal.gov.uk .
Finally, even though Planning Permission is not required for any of the above categories, Building Control Approval may still be necessary.
Click here to view a sample planning drawing.
