If you are looking to increase your living space and stretch your legs a bit more, the most feasible and practical way is home extension. A home extension is the best way to expand and utilise most of the usable space in your home without disrupting other rooms.
Also, it is important to know what type of house extension will suit your requirements. There are a whole range of extensions from single-storey, double-storey, to conservatories and Basements, etc., and figuring out how and where you want your extension is the key. For instance, if you want to build a guest room that opens up to your beautiful backyard or the garden, then you must be looking for a conservatory home extension design.
But there is always another question, do you require any special planning permission to conduct these extensions? Well, the answer is sometimes, yes and sometimes, no. It mainly depends on key factors such as the size, location and design of your extension.
Understanding Permitted Development (PD) Rights?
If you are not aware, every house in Essex comes with something called a PD right. This means that every house has a certain level of rights where they do not require any planning permission in Essex for extensions. So, if you are looking at simple loft conversions, or single-storey rear conversions or even a stand-alone garden room, you would not need any planning permission.
However, you also need to keep in mind that if you have already had some building work or extensions done in the past, it may have consumed some or all of your PD rights under the same property. So, it is always worth checking before starting with the aforementioned extensions.
Things to consider if you want your plan to be eligible under the PD rights:
- The material used for the new extension should be the same or visibly the same as the original house.
- A single-storey rear extension can extend up to eight metres from the rear wall and can only be up to four metres in height.
- A double-storey rear extension can extend up to three metres from the rear wall.
- The height of any type of extension cannot exceed the highest point of the roof.
- If you are thinking of a side extension, then the width of the extension should not be larger than half the width of the original house.
- The total volume of the ground property has increased by 115 cubic metres or less.
- Keep your neighbours informed about the house extension ideas and timelines to avoid any disputes.
However, there are a few conditions where you will require planning permission to start your home extension project. Your PD rights may be restricted if you live in a conservation area, or national park, or if it is a listed building. In these cases, you will need to get planning permission no matter what. For example, if you are living very close to a listed building in Essex, then planning permission for your Essex property will be mandatory.
Why Planning Permission is Important?
So, let us jump into why getting Planning permission is so important?
Legal Safety and Infrastructural Standards:
Primarily, the planning permission is set by the government as a legal requisite for all property owners in the UK. Their aim is to make sure that all the buildings and renovations comply with the local planning regulations and building codes as this best practice can ensure that they meet the safety standards.
Obtaining this permission can be a benefit to the house owners. The authorities will assure that the property has access to basic infrastructure such as roads, utilities and public services. This will ensure that your property has access to the new developments in the area.
Environmental Impact and Aesthetics:
Planning permission also assesses the environmental impact and the aesthetic harmony of the area with your building plan. This categorisation can involve various factors related to sustainability and protection of natural resources aiming for an eco-friendly development approach. This also includes preserving the aesthetics of the neighbourhood and making sure your plan complements the existing overall aesthetics of the area.
Property Values and Finance:
Important to mention that these permission documents have a major positive influence on the property value. This will be of great use if you are looking to sell the property at any time and these documents will ensure that your property complies with all necessary standards. Also, these permission papers are necessary for your mortgage to be approved or if you are trying to get any financial aid from banks or insurance companies.
Don’t skip this step! Ignoring this step will not be the best practice as non compliance with building regulations can lead to huge fines up to 50,000 pounds, delays or sometimes, demolition too. So, it is always recommended and best to approach professional building contractors in and around Essex, like Academy Concepts, who give proper advice on planning permission in Essex and also provide cost-efficient and unique home extension ideas according to your preference and requirements.
Steps to Apply for Planning Permission
- Consult a building architect or planning consultant to help you design the best home extension idea and plan that not only meets your expectations, but also follow all the necessary rules.
- After intense planning, the detailed plan is submitted to the local council, along with the planning permission application and relevant fees.
- Your extension plan is kept for public viewing in their planning register and your neighbours are informed to avoid and rectify disputes, if any.
- After careful investigation, your extension work is supposed to be completed within five years from the date of approval.
- If rejected, you can make certain amendments and resubmit the plan without 12 months, or you can also appeal the decision within three months.
By getting to know all the building regulations and carrying out the correct application procedures, you can easily start planning your home extension project and design the additional space you desire. Therefore, it is highly advised to talk to the experienced building contractors in Essex, such as Academy Concepts. Our expertise and skilled professionals can guide you through the complex planning permission steps, assist you in providing bespoke and efficient home extension design ideas and guarantee a smooth home improvement process as you envisioned.
