Major Projects Profit From Extending Your House

Date Published:

28/05/2008

To keep your house safe and sellable, your extension needs to comply with two types of guidelines - building regulations and planning permission. Building regulations are mandatory, planning permission depends on your circumstances.

Courtesy of Jefferson Smith

A Case Study
An end terrace on a corner plot in Battersea, London.

Why did the owners decide to extend?
'They wanted to improve the relationship between the house and the garden,' says architect Matthew Heywood. 'But, instead of designing the extension to complement the traditional style of the house, the owners agreed that we should create a real contrast.'

What are the main features of the new extension?
'The new kitchen-dining area has full-height folding glass panels that open it up completely to the decking, while the roof is of a contemporary metal design, with two rectangular roof lights. The great corner position of this house means that the side windows and roof of the extension peep over the garden wall and leave passers-by in no doubt that this is a very modern addition.'

What's Involved

The difference between the two is that while planning guides the way our local environment develops, building regulation ensures the health and safety of people who actually use buildings. Your builder or architect will be able to advise, or take a look at www.planningportal.gov.uk for more information. Before sending off any plans it's also a good idea to get your neighbours involved, so they are aware of exactly what is planned.

Planning Permission

Chances are you'll need this. It depends on many factors, including whether the house has been extended before and how much the exterior of the property is going to change. Either you or your builder/architect must contact the planning department of your local planning authority, complete the form and return it with a fee of around £135. You should hear back within eight weeks.

If your proposal is refused, you can either modify it and resubmit, or lodge an appeal. You then have three years to begin the work, otherwise you will need to reapply. Be warned - if you decide to go ahead without permission (and you'd be very ill-advised to do this), you will be asked to make a retrospective planning application. If this is turned down, you will have to return everything to the way it was before, regardless of expense.

As a general guide, you'll need planning permission if any of the following points apply to you, but do run any changes past the Planning Department of your local authority as there are exceptions.

Building Regulations

These are comprised of 'Parts' lettered from A to P, each setting the standards for different aspects of a building's design and construction. These include its structure, fire safety, sound insulation, drainage, ventilation, electrical safety and energy efficiency

Confirm with your builder at the outset that they are taking responsibility for compliance. If not, it will be up to you to get works approved by a Building Control Body - either from your local authority or an approved inspector. Some specific types of work, such as certain types of drain, fuel-burning appliances and replacement windows, can be self-certified provided the installer is registered with a relevant scheme. You'll need to submit an application, and arrange for an inspector to make a series of inspections. Failure to comply can result in a fine of thousands of pounds and may come to light via a local land search enquiry when you come to sell, and will probably deter your potential buyer.