Public Servant Lifestyle

Don't move out - build on or up! The National Home Improvement Council answer a few frequently asked questions about extensions and conversions.

Q: I want to build an extension but where do I start?

A: The first thing to consider is whether you want to go out or up? Some properties are especially adaptable to utilising roof space. Once you’ve agreed how you would like to extend, you will then need to seek professional advice from an architect, architectural technician, building surveyor or a builder.

Each of these disciplines is covered by an association who will point you in the right direction for an appropriate contact in your area. Also you may need planning permission although many around-the-house projects present no legal or statutory problems in this respect.

You can investigate all the various permutations such as single or two storey extensions or maybe it would be sufficient just to convert the attic.

Once you've agreed how you would like to extend then you will need to seek professional advice from an architect, architectural technician, building surveyor or a builder. A good builder who is a member of one of the UK's professional organisations such as the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) or the National House Builders Council (NHBC) will most certainly have his own design facility so he can provide a complete design and build package.

Planning Permission

Also you may need planning permission although many around-the-house projects present no legal or statutory problems. But it's better to check first and be sure. Of course, there's nothing to prevent you from submitting your own drawings for planning approval providing they are straightforward and include all the relevant construction details including dimensions and materials. But the local authority will expect your design to show the use of materials, windows, doors and exterior finishes that are sympathetic to the local vernacular.

It's very important to consult your house title deeds - usually held by your building society or bank, if you have a mortgage - or tenancy agreement, to establish whether or not you can make alterations. If you are in a conservation area you may need listed building consent but your local authority will explain how to make the relevant application.

Notification

Once it has received your plans, the local planning authority has to make your intentions known to your neighbours either by means of a site notice or by letter. Obtaining planning permission can sometimes take six weeks or more in order to go through all the necessary procedures.

However, you may find that your plans do not need specific planning permission. For instance, if you live in a non-terrace house outside a conservation area, you may be able to build a back extension of up to 70 cubic metres, or 15% of the size of the original house, without planning permission.

Or, if you live in a terraced house, or any sort of house in a conservation area, your extension can be to 50 cubic metres, or 10% of the size of the original house, before you need to seek planning approval. Unfortunately flats do not have permitted development; also a garage addition within 5 metres of a house counts as an extension.

But in every case you will have to make sure the extension complies with the relevant parts of the building regulations, which cover the standards of work, even for loft conversions.

Extensions

There comes a time in many households when you could do with some extra space. But do you move on to a larger property, or simply stay put and add on? The latter is less hassle than the former, and if you love your current abode why not create the new space within or without your existing four walls?

There are various permutations from which to choose but only you will know what best fulfils your requirements. For instance, may be you could divide one large room, and make two smaller ones? Alternatively if your roof space is suitable you could make the attic habitable. Of course, the ultimate is to add on a single or two-storey extension.

If you plump for either the attic or the extension solutions, then you will need to speak to you local planning office for advice and details on procedures. Because in both cases you will need to submit plans. But you should find them extremely helpful and they will almost certainly provide you with official guidance notes on how to make your application.

But if you're a relatively competent draughtsman there's nothing to prevent you from submitting your own drawings for approval providing they are straightforward and include all the relevant construction details, including dimensions and materials. The local authority will expect your design to show the use of materials, windows, doors and exterior finishes that are sympathetic to the property itself and to the local vernacular. Also they will have to pay full regard to the latest changes to Part L of the building regulations, relating to energy efficient construction.

In every case you will have to make sure the extension complies with the relevant parts of the building regulations, which cover the standards of work, even for loft conversions.

Wherever you are in the UK, if you have any doubts whatsoever about planning permission an organisation called Planning Aid, provides free (although voluntary donations are greatly appreciated) and independent advice in certain circumstances, but they cannot draw up plans. They have offices in London, Birmingham, Godalming, Gloucester, Ipswich, Leeds, Newcastle upon Tyne, Nottingham, Salford, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Belfast and Dublin.

Also - if you live in England or Wales - further information is available from the Department for Communities and Local Government.

In Scotland, local authorities will provide additional advice; and Northern Ireland's Department of the Environment publishes Your Home and Planning Permission, available from the Planning Service, DOE(NI), Clarence Court, 10 Adelaide Street, Belfast, BT2 8GB.

Information supplied by the National Home Improvement Council - a trade association whose member companies and organisations work in the home improvement sector, and offers advice on improving and modernising homes.

PSP Ltd is not responsible for the contents of external websites.

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