Side extension in a conservation area....is it feasible?

[united4ever]

Looking at this house:

www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/33370708

The downstairs sitting rooms are a bit small for our needs and we want a third bedroom.

Can anyone give any indication on whether a 2 storey side extension is feasible in terms of planning permission and if so what sort of cost? It's in a conservation area. I understand the nature of an extension would have to be sympathetic to the area.

If not then it's not worth us pursuing. I guess to get a definitive answer you'd need to make a planning application which cost architects fees and takes months I would have thought. Not really feasible on a house that you may not even get to buy, especially when the buyer might sell it to someone else in the interim period.

Often its more difficult to get a 2 storey side extension which would take it all the way up to the boundary as in this case - as that would (if every house did this on a road) make, for instance, a line of semis into effectively a terrace. In this case it would not have that effect as you would be abutting the back boundary of the adjoining property which would not be quite so bad - but still normally expected to leave a gap. You might want to ring the planning department and find out if they have any advice on normal distances to boundaries that they consider appropriate and go from there?

Have a look on the planning portal to see if anything similar has been refused. I think you might struggle as it would spoil the appearance of the street.

Is the house to the left not quite significantly extended?

I googled Altrincham conservation area and came a cross Raynes Architects who had very detailed guides on their web site to the various conservation areas and what development might be permitted. I would look at the appropriate one and also check the Planning Authority web site. These will be more authoritative than any answers here because not all conservation areas are the same.

Thanks Milly, yeah, it seems from Raynes architect website they only allow extensions at the rear of the property so it is a no to that house for us. Thanks again

I wouldn't go on advice from an Estate agent - you need to speak to the planning office - if possible the Conservation Officer. Yes to get a definitive answer, you would need to submit the application, but the ought to be able to give an indication as to whether it would be possible. Conservation Areas don't preclude all development. The Council has a duty to preserve and enhance the character and appearance of the area, so as long as the addition was in keeping with the character of the house, and met all the usual planning criteria such as not overlooking or overpowering neighbours, an extension would in theory be acceptable.

BTW, I have just managed to gain planning consent for a side extension to a cottage within a conservation area - the cottage is listed too, just to add to the fun. But it did require a very sensitive approach with a good architect, and its only single storey.

ok, thanks, I called the council and they gave me the person to email which I have done. How much more did the extension cost when compared to a fairly standard non conservation area extension? I'd imagine the architects fees plus materials were all quite a bit more.

I don't know what the costs were (I'm just a planner) but it was a difficult build and used reclaimed stone to match the existing house etc, so it definitely wasn't a 'normal' cost job.