In the current financial uncertainty, instead of moving home, many people are updating or extending their current property, however any work that is going to be carried out on your property without planning permission or approval could be subject to demolition or restoration.
As the property owner it is your responsibility to gain planning permission even if the work is carried out by an external contractor. Everest have created a helpful guide for any homeowners struggling with knowing what does and doesn’t need planning permission when renovating a home.
Below are some of the most common projects within the home and when they do and don’t need planning permission: need planning permission if:
A loft conversion
A loft conversion is a common home modification, it is considered a permitted development that does not require planning permission unless you extend or alter the roof space to exceed certain conditions. Unlike some larger projects 4 roofing that require more extensive work where you will need to obtain planning permission.
For example you do need planning permission if:
- If the conversion means making the roof higher than existing part of the roof.
- The additional of any balconies, verandas or raised platforms.
- Side-facing windows are not obscure-glazed and can open (unless the opening part is 1.7 meters from the floor of the room).
- Roof extension is not set back 20cm from the eaves. (The roof enlargement cannot overhang the outer face wall of the ‘original house’).
- Roof extension is beyond the plane of the roof slope at the front of the house.
Conservatories and extensions
A conservatory and extension fall under the same restrictions when it comes to planning permission and are considered permitted developments. As 71% of planning permission applications are for an extension or a remodel this is one of the most common modifications. Similar to a loft conversion these both require planning permission if:
The extension results in the modification being higher than the highest point of the roof.
Any additions of verandas, balconies or raised platforms.
Windows and Doors
You actually don’t need planning permission to replace doors and windows as long as they are replaced with ones with a similar appearance.
However you do need planning permission if:
- You live in a listed building, designated area or fall under Article 4 Direction.
- You are fitting a skylight/roof light that extends beyond 150mm beyond the plane of the roof slope.
Basements
Planning regulations for a basement are actually currently under review but in most cases they are considered a permitted development. You do however need planning permission if:
- You’re digging to create a new basement
- Creating a new individual unit of accommodation.
- Changing the external appearance of the house.
According to a recent survey by Everest the average wait for planning permission to be approach is 8-12weeks with 37% of respondents claiming it took their plans this long. However the most common reasons for a planning permission application being turned down is loss of privacy.
Feature in conjunction with Everest, all thoughts are my own, for more info visit www.everest.co.uk/planning-permission