If you are considering extending or altering your property in
some way, you may need to obtain planning permission for what you
want to do. It is important that you make sure you have the
relevant consents in place prior to starting work.
To assist our customers, this section of the
website contains some basic guidance on when planning
permission is required.
The Planning Portal has developed an
Interactive House to provide a visual guide
to the Planning and Building Regulations for householders.
The
Interactive House is available online and
provides you with some basic guidance on whether you need to
apply for planning permission or Building Regulation
approval.
When considering undertaking development or building work, you
may need to obtain Planning Permission &/or
Building
Regulation approval. To assist you, some basic guidance is
given below. Further guidance for homeowners can be found in
booklets published by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and
the Essex Building Surveyors Association and generally available
free from our offices here at Development Services: -
‘Planning – A guide for Householders – What you
need to know about the planning system’
‘Essex Building Control Handbook’
You can also find details on the following websites :-
The Planning Portal:
Visual Guide to Planning Permission and Building Regulations for
Householders (Interactive House) -
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/hhg/houseguide.html
ODPM –
www.odpm.gov.uk/building-regulations
1. "I want to extend my property. How big an extension
can I have without needing Planning Permission?"
You can normally extend your property from its original size up
to a certain amount without the need for planning permission as
follows:-
50 cubic metres or by 10%, whichever is the greater, if it is a
terraced house or in a Conservation Area;
70 cubic metres or 15%, whichever is the greater, in any other
case
The percentage figure is based on the volume of the original
house and would normally only exceed the cubic metre allowance on a
very large property. However, up to a maximum of 115 cubic metres
is allowed if using the percentage calculation.
Guidance as to what to include within the cubic metre
calculation is as below:-
Add together the cubic capacity of: all previous extensions any
buildings within 5m of the dwelling within your garden area the
proposed extension If this total measurement exceeds the relevant
sizes given above, planning permission is required.
Conversion tables:
1 metre = 3ft 3ins50 cubic metres = 1,766 cubic feet70
cubic metres = 2,472 cubic feet
In addition, you will need to ensure: The use is for domestic
purposes only and you do not live in a flat or mixed use property
The extension will not be higher than the original house It does
not project beyond any wall of the original house fronting a
"highway" (a highway is defined as land over which the general
public has access including a footpath whether or not it is
maintained by the highway authority) All extensions do not cover
more than half the original garden area No part of the extension is
more than 4 metres high where it is within 2 metres of a boundary
(Window alterations are excluded from this condition)
2. "What about loft conversion?"
You will not need permission to convert your loft to living
space as long as: It does not involve increasing the height of the
roof No new dormer windows are proposed on a roofslope that is
facing a highway The total volume of any dormers or extension to
the roof do not exceed 50 cubic metres (40m³ in the case of a
terraced property) There are no additions or dormers if the
property is in a Conservation Area
3. "Do I need a planning permission for any other type
of alterations?"
Porch
Permission is not required if: it has an external area under 3m²
it is not higher than 3m it is 2m or more from a boundary fronting
a highway.
TV Aerial, Radio Mast, Flag Pole
Permission is not normally required for standard TV equipment,
but specialised masts, poles or signs may need planning permission.
Please check with the department. Separate requirements on
satellite dishes.
Oil Storage Tank
Permission is not required if it is under 3,500 litres and it:
is not more than 3m high does not project in front of any wall of
the original house fronting a highway Permanent Liquid Petroleum
Gas storage tanks need planning permission.
Garages/Sheds/Greenhouses/Domestic Stables/Swimming
Pools etc
Permission is not required if it: does not project in front of
any wall of the original house fronting a highway is not higher
than 4m to the ridge or 3m otherwise does not cover more than half
the total garden of the original house together with all other
outbuildings is beyond 5m from the house and is not within a
Conservation Area/within the curtilage of a Listed Building where
any building greater than 10m³ requires permission. (NB If the
building is within 5m of the house it is treated as a house
extension)
Cladding or Rendering
On a front elevation this will need permission in a Conservation
Area, but check with the department.
Painting
Does not need permission.
Fences and Walls
Permission is not required if they are not more than 1m high
adjacent to a vehicular highway or 2m high elsewhere.
New Access
(Pedestrian or vehicular). Permission is needed on a classified
road or if the view of road users is obstructed eg on a bend.
Signs and Adverts
A single temporary sale/sold sign is allowed, but check with the
department first in relation to any other signage.
Hard Surface
No permission needed.
BEWARE
Even if the above conditions or those overleaf are met you may
still need permission if: you live in an area where other
restrictions apply such as a Conservation Area or Silver End there
is a particular condition on the original planning permission
preventing extensions/additional buildings You live in a Listed
Building you will need separated listed building consent
You will need to check if you require a separate Building
Regulation consent.
If in doubt contact Planning Services at
Braintree District Council,Causeway House,Braintree
Tel: (01376) 557783Fax: (01376) 557787