What is Permitted Development & Do I Still Need Approval?
Whether you’re simply looking to improve your existing house or carry out major works to one you’re intending to buy, it pays to understand the scope of the available Permitted Development rights.
They are granted in the form of General Development Planning Orders (GDPOs) which apply separately to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and, in effect, they give implied planning consent to carry out certain classes of development.
In order to carry out work under Permitted Development the work must strictly conform to the current criteria, JHA have the expertise to advise you whether development meets the criteria.
If your development does conform to all the permitted development criteria you have two options. Firstly you can simply start work and skip the planning process altogether but for peace of mind we advise you apply for a lawful development certificate.
What is a Lawful Development Certificate?
While it should be possible in most cases to decide whether or not a proposed project qualifies as permitted development there will inevitably be instances where the decision is less clear cut. If there is any ambiguity or question over whether your proposal passes the permitted development tests you have a number of options. It may, for instance, be possible to alter your plans to ensure they meet permitted development limits and conditions.
For peace of mind you may choose to apply for a lawful development certificate (LDC). This is not the same as planning permission but is proof that your household building work is lawful. This option is well worth considering even if you are sure your project is permitted development.
If you should later want to sell your property, an LDC may be helpful to answer queries raised by potential buyers or their legal representatives. As such, it is important that all paperwork and records relating to your property are clear and up to date.
Extensions: What You Can Do under Permitted Development
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You can extend a detached dwelling by 8m to the rear if it’s single storey or 3m if it’s double.
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Semi-detached and terraced homes can be extended up to 6m to the rear of the property if single storey.
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There are height restrictions but they boil down to a single storey extension not being higher than 4m in height to the ridge and the eaves, and ridge heights of any extension not being higher than the existing property.
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Two storey extensions must not be closer than 7m to the rear boundary.
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It must be built in the same or similar material to the existing dwelling.
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Extensions must not go forward of the building line of the original dwelling.
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Side extensions must be single storey, maximum height of 4m and a width no more than half of the original building.
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In Designated Areas side extensions require planning permission and all rear extensions must be single storey.
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An extension must not result in more than half the garden being covered.
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You can only do it once and the original building is either as it was on 1st July 1948 or when it was built. In Northern Ireland it is as it was built or as it was on 1st October 1973.
*All of the above is a guideline and is subject to your specific local authority requirements.
The Process
If you have decided it would give you peace of mind to gain a lawful development certificate then the drawing procedure will be identical to gaining planning permission. View the planning process by clicking here.
JHA will always advise you to gain a lawful development certificate as this is essentially your only proof that your development is lawful.