What difference do the new rules make?
Until now, householders were allowed to expand their home by a total of up to 70 cubic metres – or 50 cubic metres for a terraced house – before having to apply for planning permission. This allowance had to be divided up between any extensions and loft conversions. Anyone wishing to expand further was forced to apply for permission from their local council. Now, as well being able to have a loft conversion of up to 50 cubic metres without planning permission, families are free to build a two-storey extension stretching back 10ft from the rear of their house, with no limit to its total volume.
Has anything changed regarding building regulations?
No. All loft conversions and rear extensions must still meet rigorous national standards.
What if I live in a conservation area?
Any household in a conservation area will require planning permission to build a two-storey extension. However, they will not need consent for a single-storey extension less than 10ft deep.
What grounds for complaint do I have if I object to a neighbour’s planned extension?
The Government says extensions falling within the new limits will be small enough to prevent intrusion on neighbours, and so there is nothing that can be done to stop them. Larger extensions will continue to require planning permission, and neighbours will maintain their right to object to these. However, as well as being free to increase the allowance for extensions in their area, councils can also impose stricter limits if they fear the new rules would have a generally negative effect for neighbours.
What do the new rules on driveways mean?
The Government says restricting driveways is necessary to combat the risk of flooding during heavy rain. It says 55,000 homes were damaged during floods last year because of surface water running off driveways. Surfaces deemed acceptably porous include gapped concrete paving, plus some types of asphalt and gravel.
What are the rules on building other things in my garden?
Decking or platforms are allowed provided they are no more than about 1ft off the ground and that together with other extensions and outbuildings they cover no more than 50 per cent of the garden. Sheds and garages may be a single storey and have a maximum height of 13ft with a dual-pitched roof or 10ft for any other roof.
Source The Telegraph
Until now, householders were allowed to expand their home by a total of up to 70 cubic metres – or 50 cubic metres for a terraced house – before having to apply for planning permission. This allowance had to be divided up between any extensions and loft conversions. Anyone wishing to expand further was forced to apply for permission from their local council. Now, as well being able to have a loft conversion of up to 50 cubic metres without planning permission, families are free to build a two-storey extension stretching back 10ft from the rear of their house, with no limit to its total volume.
Has anything changed regarding building regulations?
No. All loft conversions and rear extensions must still meet rigorous national standards.
What if I live in a conservation area?
Any household in a conservation area will require planning permission to build a two-storey extension. However, they will not need consent for a single-storey extension less than 10ft deep.
What grounds for complaint do I have if I object to a neighbour’s planned extension?
The Government says extensions falling within the new limits will be small enough to prevent intrusion on neighbours, and so there is nothing that can be done to stop them. Larger extensions will continue to require planning permission, and neighbours will maintain their right to object to these. However, as well as being free to increase the allowance for extensions in their area, councils can also impose stricter limits if they fear the new rules would have a generally negative effect for neighbours.
What do the new rules on driveways mean?
The Government says restricting driveways is necessary to combat the risk of flooding during heavy rain. It says 55,000 homes were damaged during floods last year because of surface water running off driveways. Surfaces deemed acceptably porous include gapped concrete paving, plus some types of asphalt and gravel.
What are the rules on building other things in my garden?
Decking or platforms are allowed provided they are no more than about 1ft off the ground and that together with other extensions and outbuildings they cover no more than 50 per cent of the garden. Sheds and garages may be a single storey and have a maximum height of 13ft with a dual-pitched roof or 10ft for any other roof.
Source The Telegraph
