Home extensions
A well planned extension can transform even the humblest of homes, allowing your home to grow with your family, make better use of space and even increase the value of your property. Burgoine and Weston building contractors have worked on home extensions in Warwickshire and Worcestershire of all sizes, from small garden rooms, to vast double storey wrap around extensions, for both private and commercial clients.
Planning a home extension
When planning a home extension you need to consider what you want to change about the current building, and focus on this to form a brief. For example, your end goal may be to add another bedroom, or an open plan kitchen / diner area. Having a defined objective for the home extension project from the outset and talking this through with your architect will help them to produce plans to suit your individual requirements.
Do you need planning permission for an extension?
If you are planning a large extension or renovating a listed building you will need planning permission. But some smaller home extensions may fall under permitted development. Converting an attached building (such as an integral garage) into a living space falls under what is allowed under permitted development because it doesn’t involve increasing the footprint of the building. If you are converting a standalone building (a garage, barn or other outbuilding) into a living space you will be required to apply for a change of use under Building Regulations.
Permitted development criteria for extensions
Extensions falling within the criteria listed below sit within the rules of what is acceptable under permitted development, and does not generally require planning permission.
Extensions less than half the area of land around the original house
Extensions that do not exceed the height of the highest part of the existing roof
The eaves height does not exceed three metres when an extension comes within two metres of a boundary
The extension is not built ahead of the front elevation (or side elevation where it faces a highway)
The extension is below four metres in height
A single story rear extension sits within three metres of the original semi detached house exterior wall or four metres of the original detached house exterior wall
Single story rear extensions that are under four metres in height and a width no more than half that of the original house
Double story rear extensions that sit within three metres of the original house rear wall and no closer than seven metres to the rear boundary
Materials and finishes used are of a similar appearance to those on the exterior of the existing building
Planning permission criteria for extensions
If the extension falls under one or more of the following criteria it will need to be submitted for planning permission and approved prior to any building work commencing.
The extension covers more than half the area of land around the original building
If once it is finished the extension on the front or side elevation is nearer a public highway than the original building
The extension height is taller than the highest part of the original roof of the building
Single story rear or side extensions that sit more than four metres away from the original exterior wall
Double story rear extensions that are more than three metres beyond the rear wall of the original house or that sit closer than seven metres to the rear boundary
Materials and finishes used are different in appearance to those on the exterior of the existing building
Please note that planning laws are often changing and you should seek advice from a planning officer to establish whether you require planning permission prior to work commencing.