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Original poster

Permitted Development

27 replies

karenah73 · 01/01/2018 22:39

Having a panic about an extension we are due to start building next week. It is 8mx4m and falls within permitted development. We spoke to our neighbour, she was fine with what we had planned.
Our architect has dealt with getting the plans approved by building regulations and we assumed (because we asked him to do it if it was necessary) sorted neighbour notification with the planning dept.

I’ve been chatting to a friend tonight and she mentioned notifying planning/neighbours of the build so I’ve gone back through the documents the architect sent us and there is nothing to say he did it. There’s the approval from building control but nothing else. Obviously I’ll be on the phone to planning first thing but I’m worried now we’ll have to postpone our builder from starting next week.
Does anybody know if it’s a definite requirement to notify neighbours in writing via the council when an extension falls within permitted development? I’m normally so on the ball with this kind of thing but feel really silly for not thinking to double check everything was completed before paying his bill.

OP posts:

namechangedtoday15 · 01/01/2018 22:42

Are you sure your neighbour isn't talking about a Party Wall Notice? Google it - if your build falls within the Party Wall Agreement, you normally have to give 2 months notice.

Original poster

karenah73 · 01/01/2018 23:05

Thanks for replying namechange.
Our house is detached, the extension doesn’t overlook any neighbours or block any light to their property. I’m hoping the reason I can’t find any documentation from the architect/council regarding neighbour notification is because it wasn’t needed. However, having searched on Google, I think it was a requirement and I’m so annoyed at myself for not double checking it had been done.

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NataliaOsipova · 01/01/2018 23:09

Single storey extension, 4m high and 8m to the rear of the house?

If so, you need to go through the prior approval process. You can go out 4m and 4m high without this, but for the 8m you need this extra step. You can phone the Council and speak to a Duty planning officer tomorrow who will be able to advise.

Bellamuerte · 01/01/2018 23:16

You're not required to notify neighbours at all if it falls under permitted development.

Bellamuerte · 01/01/2018 23:19

What I should have said is, you notify the council and it's their job to consult neighbours, not yours.

Original poster

karenah73 · 01/01/2018 23:21

Thanks Natalia, it is a rear single story extension, with a glass lantern roof, that goes across the back of the house (8m) and extends 4m out from the rear wall. So basically a rectangular room across the back of the house.

I’ll have to hope our builder is understanding, it’s taken us months to find one.

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NataliaOsipova · 01/01/2018 23:35

Ah. You may be okay then. I was assuming you were going out 8m. If you're only going out 4m then that is permitted development, assuming you don't fall foul of the width requirement. How wide is the original rear of your house?

Google "Technical Guidance notes Permitted Development" and you'll find a government document which is pretty helpful.

namechangedtoday15 · 01/01/2018 23:38

The party wall act refers to digging foundations (amongst other things) within 6m I think, depending how deep you need to go, of a neighbouring property whether you're detached or not.

Original poster

karenah73 · 01/01/2018 23:38

I know the architect has contacted building control but don’t think he has contacted the planning dept despite telling us he’d sort everything for us.

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Original poster

karenah73 · 01/01/2018 23:40

The extension isn’t wider than the original house.

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Original poster

karenah73 · 01/01/2018 23:53

Thanks so much for that link Natalia. I’ve had a quick look and I think (fingers crossed) we might be ok. Obviously i’ll be double checking with the planning office first thing in the morning.

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superram · 01/01/2018 23:55

If you are excavating (digging foundations) within 3m of the boundary you need a party wall agreement with your neighbour and it is up to you to do it. If permitted development you don’t have to inform planning or neighbour (but most people submit plans) but if you don’t have private building control, the council building control will come out at various stages.

PissedOffNeighbour · 02/01/2018 18:05

You can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate from the Planning department - this should confirm that the extension falls within permitted development, in case it is queried in the future.

LIZS · 02/01/2018 18:08

Roof lantern and length is likely to mean it needs approval. Neighbours are notified but it doesn't go through full planning process. Will take longer than a week though

PragmaticWench · 02/01/2018 18:12

Do you think you need a party wall agreement OP? That can hold things up.

flummoxedlummox · 02/01/2018 20:35

NataliaOsipova you can go 8m out on a detached under permitted development until May next year.

Original poster

karenah73 · 02/01/2018 20:57

Planning department won’t even answer the question without me filling in a form and paying £25 for an answer in 3 weeks or £50 to answer in 3 days.
I’ve spoken at length with the architect today and he absolutely assures me the build falls within permitted development. Anything over 4m but less than 8m still falls within permitted development but planning need to know and notify neighbours. I asked about the width and the height with the lantern and again he said we are fine. It’s not a huge lantern as building control refused the one we originally wanted.

OP posts:

NataliaOsipova · 02/01/2018 22:51

NataliaOsipova you can go 8m out on a detached under permitted development until May next year

You can, but more than 4m requires you to go through what is termed the prior approval process. Which seems to me to be almost (but not quite) as onerous as applying for planning permission.

eastlondoner · 02/01/2018 23:05

There's no neighbour notification required for works done under permitted development. Neighbour notification only applies where planning permission is required. The sole purpose of neighbour notification is to give them a chance to object to the granting of planning permission.

LIZS · 03/01/2018 06:07

If it comes under Larger Permitted Development there is notification.

HandbagFan · 03/01/2018 08:23

Somewhat off topic but it sounds like the size and scope of your extension is the same as we’d like to do - any chance you could let me know your planned spend? Is it really £2000 per square meter? So 4x8x2000= £64000?

Original poster

karenah73 · 03/01/2018 08:51

Handbag our build, not including flooring as we’ve not decided on that yet or decorating, is £29,000 with a 6-8wk build. That is 8x4m with 5m aluminium bifold doors onto the garden, a 1.5x3.5m lantern roof, spotlights, 4 double sockets, and 2 vertical radiators. The highest we were quoted was £35k. We live in the north.

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LIZS · 03/01/2018 09:12

Has your house ever been extended before, including any loft conversion? This can restrict your pd rights.

Shadowboy · 03/01/2018 09:19

Honestly- we built under PD. It was the biggest headache we ever had trying to sell our house. Ours was 3m x5m. I would never, ever do it again. In the end the cost doubled from the £18,000 expected to £32,000! We very very nearly lost the sale. If you do PD the planning department should not be contacted. Building regs is the only contact you should make.

Original poster

karenah73 · 03/01/2018 09:50

We are in contact with building control. No other extensions or loft conversion.

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