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Original poster

Is it true you can only extend 50%?

14 replies

Jaynebxl · 07/07/2013 07:43

We were having a conversation with someone last night about the house we are about to buy. The guy said that you can only get planning permission to extend another 50% of what you already have, if that makes sense. My husband agreed and said he knew that too. This could seriously jeopardise the plans we have to extend our new place. Does anyone know if this is true? Thanks.

OP posts:
MothershipG · 07/07/2013 07:46

I think it's a guide rather than a rule so you'd have to persuade the planning dept otherwise, but have't things been loosened up recently?

Also if your DH 'knows' this why hasn't he mentioned it in regard to the property you are about to buy????

OliviaBenson · 07/07/2013 07:52

It can be a planning policy rule where houses are in the open countryside or within very small villages etc.

I think if you are wanting to undertake such a large extension you need to talk to the planners now to gauge their views. I've seen small extensions refused due to neighbour impact, and larger ones allowed so you really need to check on the property you are buying and never assume it will be passed.

Original poster
Jaynebxl · 07/07/2013 07:52

He had forgotten!

I've just read this on the gov planning portal so I wonder if they are confusing it with this:

"An extension or addition to your house is considered to be permitted development, not requiring an application for planning permission, subject to the following limits and conditions:
No more than half the area of land around the "original house"* would be covered by additions or other buildings."

OP posts:
Original poster
Jaynebxl · 07/07/2013 07:54

The extension we want isn't very big but the house was already beautifully extended a few years ago by probably 50% of the original house size.

OP posts:
nicelyneurotic · 07/07/2013 08:05

It must be a local policy. I've been watching Sarah Beeny's 'Double your house for half the money' show and they all double the size of their homes. Why not call the planning dept and ask?

flow4 · 07/07/2013 08:08

If the extension you want isn't very big, then it may be a permitted development, and as such, one you don't need PP or BR for. And then who would ever know?!

Also, how long is 'a few years ago'? There are time limits to enforcement action, I think...

Fridayschild · 07/07/2013 08:22

The permitted development rights only apply to the original house. The measurements depend on volume as well as floor space so it can be quite complicated to work out what is allowed. You need to talk to the planning department at the local council.

Original poster
Jaynebxl · 07/07/2013 10:51

Obviously we will be getting professional advice as soon as we move in and unpack. Just wondered if anyone had heard of this rule but it does seem they are muddling it a little.

OP posts:
LIZS · 07/07/2013 10:54

The Govt are relaxing the permitted development rules but you may find there is a policy about maximum expansion under planning permission , depending on the size/shape of plot and local precedents.

MrsGrowbag · 07/07/2013 21:12

flow4, even if you don't need PP because the extension is within permitted development rights, you still need Building Regs. We've recently had an extension done under permitted development and Building regs came out 4 times, made us change some stuff, which was a pain but we needed it to comply. We were told that if e didn't get Building regs approval and sign-off then it would be almost impossible to sell.
The planning portal on the gov website is pretty good about what counts under permitted development. But I think there are different rules if yo are in a conservation area.

didireallysaythat · 07/07/2013 21:45

And different rules again if you are in open countryside (we were told 20%).

Itscoldouthere · 08/07/2013 11:18

I think it may have changed, but we had to do very careful planning when we did our loft as we had already done an extension and we wanted to do it all under permitted development rather than full planning permission.

We measured every bit of the house including the cellar (the original bit of the house) and managed to get the loft within the allowance as well, but it was very close.

Yes you will need building regs as well, they come and inspect as the work is going on, they look at things like foundations, steels, drains, insulation, stairs (means of escape) etc and you have to comply with all the current regulations to get it signed off at the end of the job.

sylviarose · 08/07/2013 12:08

its all relative to where you live and your local council
you can have a office / garden room added to your property with no planning i have had a log cabin build in my garden my builder ks solutions based in medway found it all out for me and its all fine and in use my husband had one side for a workshop and i have a garden room /hobby room

Seeline · 08/07/2013 12:18

It really all does depend on a) whether you need pp in the first place, and
b) where you live if you do need pp
If you live in the countryside/green belt or a conservation area/AONB the restrictions can be very tight. If the property has already been extended significantly and it is in one of these areas, then the limit may have been reached. In gb areas, the upper limit is often as low as 25%.
sylvia - if you live in a conservation area or AONB you can't even have detached structures without pp.

You really need to have a chat with the local Council involved to get a rough idea of what may be possible before you go any further, if you are really set on extending.

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