Relaxation of Planning Permission for Extensions

by royhorton on August 13, 2013

  • Sumo

The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development Order) Amendment 2013 came into effect on 30th May 2013.  For a period of three years, between 30th May 2013 and 30th May 2016, homeowners may be able to build bigger single storey rear extensions onto their properties under the permitted development rules i.e. they would not be required to obtain official planning permission.

Under the new order, the permitted depth of an extension will double from 4 metres to 8 metres for detached properties and from 3 metres to 6 metres for other properties.  A consultation process must be followed to allow works to be carried out under the order, which will involve notifying the local planning authority, who will contact neighbouring properties and allow time for objections to be made.  If the consultation process is successfully completed, a notice will be issued advising that prior approval is not required for the works.

Any extension carried out under the order must be completed by 30th May 2016 and of course, must also comply with building regulations (if necessary).

The order could have a significant impact on the housing market as homeowners may decide to extend their existing properties rather than move house but as the order has only just come into effect, we will have to wait and see what happens.

Sarah Newcombe is Head of the Conveyancing Department at County Conveyancing and is an expert on residential property matters and planning permission for extensions.

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