Regulations And Home Extensions

By Author: Carolyn Clayton
Total Articles: 173
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In the present day that we live in we have to pay up to £1,000 and include all the drawings showing our plans to be able to get the planning permission needed for even minor alterations, which take can take between eight to 16 weeks to get processed. Planning permission is even needed for the smallest of changes such as the installation of solar panels, a satellite dish, loft conversions and porches as well as extensions to the side and back of the property.
Authorities currently process up to 350,000 planning applications a year, of which more than 90% are granted immediately as long as there is no damaging impact to neighbours property.

You need to apply for planning permission to extend or add to your house in the following circumstances.
If you want to build an addition which would be nearer to any road than the nearest part of the "original house", unless there would be at least 20 metres between your house (as extended) and the road. This includes all public roads and footpaths. (There are special rules for porches).
More than half the area of land around the "original house" would be covered ...
... by additions or other buildings.
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. You will also need to apply for planning permission if the extension or addition exceeds certain limits on height or volume.

In the case of adding a porch, a second door must remain between the porch and the property. The same can be applied to adding a conservatory; you much ensure that a door/French window remain between the conservatory and the main building. The roof of a conservatory must also be at least 75% glazed or translucent and your conservatory should not contain heating/kitchen appliances.

A poorly planned extension is a guarantee for trouble so ensure that before you apply for planning permission and before you organise any work to be carried out and ensure that you know exactly what you want from your extension and have thought about all of your options as well as any potential problems that you may encounter and how you plan to resolve them.

As well as taking into consideration the fact that you will most likely be in need of planning permission you should also take note of building regulations. Building regulations are separate from planning permission and are a set of standards for the design and construction of buildings to ensure the health and safety of the people located within the building.

A home extension can be done to add extra space such as a kitchen, bathroom, loft or conservatory as well as the option of extending your property over your garage or maybe a garage is what you want to add to your property. What ever your need is for a home extension you must ensure that you gain all of the planning permission and building regulation approval before you approach a contractor to start the work on your property.