Extensions

[Charteris1]

Does anyone have any info on extensions?
We wanted a 4m full width two storey rear extension but our planning permission has been denied due to it being ‘overbearing’. My neighbour made a comment about it blocking her light, but the gardens are west facing so I don’t see how it will block any light?
Planning portal doesn’t really give me the info I need and no one at the council planning department will discuss it with me.
I know under permitted development I’m allowed a two storey half width 3m, but could I possibly increase the bottom bit to 6m full width?

Are you in a semi? You can do the maximum of 6 but will need prior notification for that. We applied for a 4.5m single storey extension using that. If you’re neighbours object to the plan, planning has the final say if you can go ahead, not your neighbours. I think the application is around £120

Each council have their own little quirks and I'd be very surprised if they refuse to talk to you about it. You can ask them to a site visit and ask questions, preferably with some sketches of what you want.

Orientation of the house doesn't matter, the light element is more a angle of the outermost point of the extension to the neighbouring house; if the line from the neighbouring house hits the proposed extension then it affect amenity. I'm probably not explaining that terribly well but you can ask the planning officer on the site visit!
The refusal should have stated the reasons so why not simply make some adjustments and resubmit? Overbearing suggests you need to reduce height and overall mass which is easily done through adjusting roof height and stepping back the walls.