Side extension on a 1930s 3 bed semi

[Autumnpumpkin]

We are wanting to do a side extension on our 1930s 3 bed semi. Ideally we would like to get two more bedrooms that would fit a double/small double beds in the future on the first floor. The ground floor we are a bit more confused on. We have thought we might have a double opening garage style doors on the front and originally thought we would use the front as a garage and the back of the new build as a utility with a door at the end of the utility to go in to the garden. For access in to it there would be a door at the bottom of the stairs going in from the house.
We are now wondering if we are wasting our space as we will still have the garage in the garden for storing all the stuff that lives in the garage.
One of the issues we have is that we will lose outside access from the garden to the front of the house so things like garden waste will have to come through.
So do we make the first room a utility with a playroom/kids den behind or stick with the first plan of front part been the garage and the second been the utility?
Anyone else done similar? What is it like not having access from the garden to the front of the house?

Have a look at your local planning policy. Here, you wouldn't usually get planning permission for a double storey extension right to the boundary. You have to leave at least 1m.

Thank you, we have looked and have spent so much time walking around our local area and it seems to be the done thing. Some where both neighbours have done it the two new builds butt right to each other.

They may be older extensions? How would you maintain the space between the two houses? I would definitely check with your council first.

I've dealt with many planning departments and it's certainly very unusual for Councils to allow extensions up to the boundary at first floor level. Ground floor can be OK, but not always. They often require the first floor to be stepped back from the front elevation too.

It's the same here, lots of extensions historically were allowed up to the boundary but it changed some years ago. Our 30s semi side extension (double storey) with a 75cm gap was turned down in 2016, had to be 1m from boundary even though exact same houses on the same road have gone all the way to the boundary - 10 or 15 yrs ago though.

Also building a pair of new builds is different to extending existing houses.

Thanks everyone. I think I'll have a telephone call with them in this case.

We did it but we are on a corner plot so don't have the issue with a neighbouring property. Downstairs we have a kitchen diner and upstairs we have two good size double bedrooms. We knocked through under the stairs where the downstairs loo was and moved that to the tiny original kitchen at the back of the house which is now a utility room. We still have the original living room to the front of the house and the old dining room is now an office (thanks covid!)

Should add, we needed to ensure there was enough off-road parking for the additional bedrooms and a gate to access the rear of the property.

Similar experience here re not building right to the boundary. Our neighbour’s 1950s house was extended with a two storey extension right to our boundary about 30 years ago. We applied to do a two storey extension of our 1930s house, to the same boundary, 4 or 5 years ago. We were turned down because they didn’t want both houses building up to the boundary “as it would spoil the look of the road”.

@CatkinToadflax

Similar experience here re not building right to the boundary. Our neighbour’s 1950s house was extended with a two storey extension right to our boundary about 30 years ago. We applied to do a two storey extension of our 1930s house, to the same boundary, 4 or 5 years ago. We were turned down because they didn’t want both houses building up to the boundary “as it would spoil the look of the road”.

Haven’t heard “spoil the look of the road” before but probably the LPA trying to avoid the terracing effect, which is common Planning policy, advice and guidance.

Have a look at the plans of similar RECENT extensions
to see how others have used the space.
You'll be amazed what can be done with a 1.2m side extension
leaving the 85cm walkway between the houses

Luckily there is a property in our street who have done exactly what we would like to do. There drive is maybe slightly narrower. They are slightly off their boundary. So I think I will have to ring the council for more information.
They were not allowed to incorporate front porch extension of the front door leading on to the front of the garage. This was something we were interested in too but after looking at lots of other planning applications on our street it would seem this is a no on the ground of it would ruin the look of the street.

Autumn
TBH I would go knock on their door and ask them about it
I know its lockdown and all that
but if they are happy with their outcome, they will be pleased to tell you about it
and if not, you'll know what to avoid.

That's a really good idea. She is also a mum from school, different year groups but we know each others faces and often stand and have a quick chat.
I've spoken this morning to the council who have said they will not give me any advice unless I fill in the forms and pay the £86. So now trying to decide if it's worth paying this money or just going for the full planning permission which we will need to pay anyway if they say it would pass.
Going back to the design and layout, we are thinking at the front of the new part there will be a store area for bikes/kids scooters etc then the rest will be a mudroom and utility. Upstairs would be 2 bedrooms. We dont feel we need bigger living space but more storage and a utility and of course the extra bedrooms. Just hope we are using the space the best we can.

I think £86 would be well spent to see if you can get an answer as to whether you can go out to the boundary - if your 30s semi is similar to ours, we have 2.75m at the side between the house and the boundary. Going out to the boundary, I think you have to leave about 10-15cm anyway for foundation/gutter overhang, so you'd extend 2.6m if you go all the way, 2.3m internal width.

If you have to be at least 1m away from the boundary, you'll get about 1.45m internal width. For us, that wasn't worth it for what we wanted and we did something else. You certainly won't get workable bedrooms.

If the £86 saves you the time and expense of an architect / full planning permission for something that won't be worth it in the end, seems like money well spent.

P.S. You should be able to see your neighbours plans on your local authority's planning website - you can see how long ago it was granted, how they've used the space and probably which company drew up the plans and applied for planning permission on their behalf.

@Autumnpumpkin

That's a really good idea. She is also a mum from school, different year groups but we know each others faces and often stand and have a quick chat. I've spoken this morning to the council who have said they will not give me any advice unless I fill in the forms and pay the £86. So now trying to decide if it's worth paying this money or just going for the full planning permission which we will need to pay anyway if they say it would pass. Going back to the design and layout, we are thinking at the front of the new part there will be a store area for bikes/kids scooters etc then the rest will be a mudroom and utility. Upstairs would be 2 bedrooms. We dont feel we need bigger living space but more storage and a utility and of course the extra bedrooms. Just hope we are using the space the best we can.

Once you begin your build, £86 will seem but a tiny drop in the ocean!! Trust me!

TBH our side extension is 1.1 m wide
and the way we designed it, you have to get a tape measure out before people believe its that small ;-)
The secret is to be willing to knock through and rotate rooms

we were forced to leave a walkway but having seen others dragging compost through their houses, I'm so glad we did