Buying a house that we'd like to extend...

[EmmaGrundyForPM]

I've seen a house on RM that looks like a possibility for us but only if we could do a ground floor extension. However, there is no way it would be big enough if we couldn't get permission to extend. Is there any way it's possible to get an "in principle" agreement from the local council as to whether we'd be allowed to extend?

It's on a road of lots of different houses, all built at different times so it's not possible to say if a precedent has been set because a similar house got permission, as there aren't any similar houses. It's a detached house with a big garden and we'd want to extend at the back.

Has anyone else ever done this - I know in theory it's possible to apply for pp on a property you don't own, but we just want a steer from the council without paying for plans etc to be drawn up. TIA

Does the extension fall under permitted development?

Is it extended already ? Planning don’t like extending an extension ! It may not be obvious, our last house was mostly extension … but you wouldn’t have known 🤷‍♀️

I'm fairly certain that it's not been extended previously but obviously don't know for certain.

Our current house had been extended before we bought it but we then put on a further extension. But this is in a different area of the country.

Permitted Development (PD) on a single storey rear extension is 3m for attached and 4m for detached house.

There is also the Larger Home Extension scheme which is now part of PD where the previous PD rights are doubled. But...you do have to ask for prior approval from the council who then contact every property on the boundary. IF no-one replies / objects then the Larger Home extension goes through as PD.

Still best to apply for Certificate of Lawful Development after building works are completed.

Will need very basic plans drawn up to apply for the Larger Home Extension...just a footprint of the new ground floor inc new extension, plot diagram etc...so no where near full plans.

Permitted Development (PD) on a single storey rear extension is 3m for attached and 4m for detached house.

There is also the Larger Home Extension scheme which is now part of PD where the previous PD rights are doubled. But...you do have to ask for prior approval from the council who then contact every property on the boundary. IF no-one replies / objects then the Larger Home extension goes through as PD.

Still best to apply for Certificate of Lawful Development after building works are completed.

Will need very basic plans drawn up to apply for the Larger Home Extension...just a footprint of the new ground floor inc new extension, plot diagram etc...so no where near full plans.

Thanks @ChocolateHelps. How though do you get the basic plans drawn up before you buy the house?

You can pay an architect or local architects technician. I would start by looking at similar planning applications or CLD ...you can search your council planning department online and all the drawings are there. Search by specific address, road or borough and then scroll through. If architects have drawn up plans then they will have a logo and address details, normally bottom right of the plans. Not sure how much of a good idea it is to actually apply before you own the property, or at least have made an offer. Maybe speak to the estate agent that your offer is contingent on obtaining planning or confirming permitted development for the property?