London extension and refurbishment blogLondon house refurbishments

Do I need planning permission for a London house refurbishment?

By March 22, 2013 No Comments

Even if your house refurbishment includes building a side extension and/or loft extension you are likely to be able to proceed without planning permission under PD (permitted development), although in this case we would strongly advise you to get a certificate of lawfulness.

Permitted development is allowed for a side extension if the following apply:

– Not more than half the land around your house will be covered by the extension.

– The extension is no higher than the highest part of your roof.

– A single-storey rear extensions must not extend beyond the rear wall of the original house by more than three metres if an attached house or by four metres if a detached house.

– The extension has a maximum height of four metres.

– There are various other conditions relating to specific size and dimensions of the extension and it’s appearance.

A certificate of lawfulness will prove to any future prosepctive buyers that you proceeded with your building work under permitted development.

It’s important that you consult with buiding control while you carry out your building work to ensure that all aspects of your refurbishment meet with your councils requireements for building work.

There is a useful guide to extensions from the governments planning portal.

Permitted development is allowed for a loft extension if the extension:

– Is no more than 40m3 for terraced houses

– Is no more than 50m3 for detached or semi-detached houses

– Does not extend beyond the plane of the existing roof slope at the front

– Does not extend higher than the original roof

– Has no verandas, balconies or platforms

There is a useful guide to loft extensions on the government’s planning portal website.

We are able to help with all aspects of planning, submitting drawings and building control ,if any of these are needed and we can advise on architects or specialists in planning submissions.