Under new regulations that came into effect on 1 October 2008 an extension
or addition to your house is considered to be permitted development, not requiring
an application for planning permission, subject to the following limits and
conditions:
- No more than half the area of land around the "original house"* would be covered
by additions or other buildings.
- No extension forward of the principal elevation or side elevation fronting a highway.
- No extension to be higher than the highest part of the roof.
- Maximum depth of a single-storey rear extension of three metres beyond the
rear wall for an attached house and four metres beyond the rear wall for a detached
house.
- Maximum height of a single-storey rear extension of four metres.
- Maximum depth of a rear extension of more than one storey of three metres beyond
the rear wall including ground floor.
- Maximum eaves height of an extension within two metres of the boundary of three
metres.
- Maximum eaves and ridge height of extension no higher than existing house.
- Side extensions to be single storey with maximum height of four metres and width
no more than half that of the original house. Two-storey extensions no closer than
seven metres to rear boundary.
- Roof pitch of extensions higher than one storey to match existing house.
- Materials to be similar in appearance to the existing house.
- No verandas, balconies or raised platforms.
- Upper-floor, side-facing windows to be obscure-glazed; any opening to be 1.7m above
the floor.
- On designated land* no permitted development for rear extensions of more than one
storey.
- On designated land no cladding of the exterior.
- On designated land no side extensions.
* The term "original house" means the house as it was first built or as it
stood on 1 July 1948 (if it was built before that date). Although you may
not have built an extension to the house, a previous owner may have done so.
* Designated land includes national parks and the Broads, Areas of Outstanding
Natural Beauty, conservation areas and World Heritage Sites.
Building Regulations
Most extensions of properties require approval under the Building Regulations.
Our team of builders has a great deal of experience building house extensions,
particularly in and around London. We are very familiar with the
stringent rules and regulations required with planning permission applications
and of working with a number of different local authorities.
Combining your ideas with our knowledge and understanding of the planning
requirements in your area, we can invariably eliminate any planning problems
that may occur before the final plans for your extension are drawn and submitted.