New homeowner planning rights for larger extensions!

If you’re planning on building a single storey rear extension under your permitted development rights, you can now take advantage of a doubled size allowance under the Larger Home Extension Scheme. This includes extensions up to 8 metres (from 4 metres) for a detached house, and 6 metres (from 3 metres) for all other houses.

Previously, this scheme only applied to projects completed before the end of May 2019. This scheme has now been made permanent.

What is permitted development?

Permitted development is a type of pre-approved permission to build, which allows you to bypass the main planning process, providing your proposed design falls within the government's guidelines.

You should still apply to your council for a lawful development certificate to prove your development is within the conditions provided, but if your plans fall within the scheme, it can save time and potential complications over putting in a full planning application.

Does my single storey rear extension qualify?

To take advantage of this extra allowance under permitted development, you’ll need to ensure your plans extend no more than 8 metres (for a detached property) or 6 metres (for all other properties) from the rear elevation of the original house, as it stood on 1 July 1948.

Even if you haven’t built a rear extension yourself, your permitted development rights may have already been used up if a previous owner added to the property.

The development must also comply with other conditions that apply to all rear extensions allowed under permitted development.

These include:

• No more than half the area of land around the original house (as it stood on 1 July 1948) should be covered by buildings.

• The maximum height of the extension is 4 metres, as measured from the highest point of natural surface ground. The maximum height reduces to 3 metres if the extension is within 2 metres of a boundary.

• Construction materials must be similar in appearance to those used for the existing house. No balconies, verandas, raised platforms or chimneys are included.

• As with any other kind of permitted development, this scheme does not apply to homes in conservation areas, flats or maisonettes.

What is the Neighbour Consultation Scheme?

The Neighbour Consultation Scheme is the approval process for extensions built under the Larger Home Extension Scheme. Once you provide the detailed plans for your project to the council they will notify any adjoining owners or occupiers to your development (i.e. your neighbours), and invite them to raise any objections within a 21 day period.

If no objections are received, and the development complies with all of the relevant criteria under permitted development rights and the Larger Home Extension Scheme, you’ll be notified by the council within a 42 day period and may start building, potentially under certain additional conditions.

If your application is refused, you can appeal, and we'll advise you on the best next steps.

You will need Building Regulation Approval for the extension and you will need to submit detailed plans to get this approval.

Kevin Todd