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Do I Need Permission?
Some architectural design projects do not need Planning Permission so here is an introduction to the requirements for Planning Permission.
There are a number of common alterations that can be made to residential properties without the need to formally apply for Planning Permission. We have detailed below the usual types of alterations such as extensions, loft conversion, outbuildings etc. Once you have reviewed this information then please contact us to discuss your project together with the preparation of design drawings to accompany the Planning Application (if Planning Permission is required), an application for a Certificate of Lawful Development (if you want written confirmation from the Council that Planning Permission is not required) or for the next stage which is Building Regulations.
Loft Conversions
Re-Roof, Rooflights and Skylights
Extensions and Additions
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:
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No more than half the area of land around the “original house” would be covered by additions or other buildings.
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No extension forward of the principal elevation or side elevation fronting a highway.
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No extension to be higher than the highest part of the roof.
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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.
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Maximum height of a single-storey rear extension of four metres.
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Maximum depth of a rear extension of more than one storey of three metres beyond the rear wall including ground floor.
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Maximum eaves height of an extension within two metres of the boundary of three metres.
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Maximum eaves and ridge height of extension no higher than existing house.
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Side extensions to be single storey with maximum height of four metres and width no more than half that of the original house.
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Two-storey extensions no closer than seven metres to rear boundary.
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Roof pitch of extensions higher than one storey to match existing house.
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Materials to be similar in appearance to the existing house.
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No verandas, balconies or raised platforms.
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Upper-floor, side-facing windows to be obscure-glazed; any opening to be 1.7m above the floor.
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On designated land no permitted development for rear extensions of more than one storey.
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On designated land no cladding of the exterior.
- On designated land no side extensions.
Click here for examples of extensions that we have designed.
Click here for a mini guide to extensions.
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Outbuildings
Open garaging designed by Ely Design Group
Rules governing outbuildings apply to sheds, greenhouses and garages as well as other ancillary garden buildings such as swimming pools, ponds, sauna cabins, kennels, enclosures (including tennis courts) and many other kinds of structure for a purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the dwelling-house.
Other rules relate to the installation of a satellite dish, the erection of a new dwelling or the erection or provision of fuel storage tanks.
Outbuildings are considered to be permitted development, not needing planning permission, subject to the following limits and conditions:
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No outbuilding on land forward of a wall forming the principal elevation.
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Outbuildings and garages to be single storey with maximum eaves height of 2.5 metres and maximum overall height of four metres with a dual pitched roof or three
metres for any other roof. -
Maximum height of 2.5 metres in the case of a building, enclosure or container within two metres of a boundary of the curtilage of the dwelling-house.
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No verandas, balconies or raised platforms.
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No more than half the area of land around the “original house“* would be covered by additions or other buildings.
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In National Parks, the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and World Heritage Sites the maximum area to be covered by buildings, enclosures, containers and pools more than 20 metres from house to be limited to 10 square metres.
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On designated land buildings, enclosures, containers and pools at the side of properties will require planning permission.
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Within the curtilage of listed buildings any outbuilding will require planning permission.
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Click here for a mini guide to outbuildings.
Loft Conversions
Typical loft space.
Planning Permission is not normally required for a loft conversion. However, Permission is required where you extend or alter the roof space and it exceeds specified limits and conditions.
A loft conversion for your house is considered to be permitted development, not requiring an application for Planning Permission, subject to the following limits and conditions:
- A volume allowance of 40 cubic metres additional roof space for terraced houses*
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A volume allowance of 50 cubic metres additional roof space for detached and semi-detached houses*
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No extension beyond the plane of the existing roof slope of the principal elevation that fronts the highway
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No extension to be higher than the highest part of the roof
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Materials to be similar in appearance to the existing house
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No verandas, balconies or raised platforms
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Side-facing windows to be obscure-glazed; any opening to be 1.7m above the floor
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Roof extensions not to be permitted development in designated areas. This normally means a Conservation Area
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Roof extensions, apart from hip to gable ones, to be set back, as far as practicable, at least 20cm from the original eaves
* Bear in mind that any previous roof space additions must be included within the volume allowances listed above. Although you may not have created additional space a previous owner may have done so.
Click here for examples of loft conversions that we have designed.
Click here for a mini guide to Loft Conversions
Re-Roof, Rooflights and Sky-lights
Rooflight example – Loft conversion by Ely Design Group.
You do not normally need to apply for Planning Permission to re-roof your house or to insert rooflights or skylights.
The permitted development rules allow for roof alterations without the need for Planning Permission, subject to the following limits and conditions:
- Any alteration to project no more that 150mm from the existing roof plane
- No alteration to be higher that the highest part of the roof
- Side facing windows to be obscure-glazed; any openings to be 1.7m above the floor minimum
- The permitted development regime for solar panels has different limits on projections and in relation to protected areas
Definitions
– Original House
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 areas include National Parks and the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Conservation Areas and World Heritage Sites.
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Please CONTACT US us with any questions you might have or to arrange your free initial site meeting.
Telephone: 01353 649 649
Email: mail@elydesigngroup.co.uk