Your Local Authority is responsible for writing most local planning policies – and they will decide if a development can go ahead. This may be an extension to a private dwelling or a new major development on land or in town.

Extension work

Under the current regulations an extension or an addition to your property is considered to be a permitted development, not requiring an application for planning permission, subject to the following limits and conditions:

• No more than half the area of land around the original house would be covered by additions or other buildings. (note the original house means the house as it was first built or stood on 1 July 1948)
• No extension forward of the principle elevation or side elevation fronting a highway.
• No extension to be higher than the highest part of the roof.
• Maximum depth of a single storey rear extension of 3m for an attached house and 4m for a detached house.Maximum eaves height of a single storey rear extension of 4m.
• Maximum depth of rear extension of more than one storey of 3m, including ground floor.
• Maximum eaves height of an extension within 2m of boundary of 3m.
• Maximum eaves and ridge height of extension no higher than existing house.Side extensions to be single storey with maximum height of 4m and width of no more than half that of the original house.
• Two-storey extension no closer than 7m to rear boundary.
• Roof pitch of extension higher than one storey to match existing house.
• Materials to be similar in appearance to existing property.
• No verandas, balconies or raised platforms.
• Upper floor side facing windows to be obscured glass and any opening to be 1.7m above floor.
• On designated land (designated land includes National Parks and the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Conservation Areas and World Heritage Sites), planning permission will be required for any proposed development. Most extensions to properties will require approval under the Building Regulations.

Loft Conversions

Planning permission is not normally required, except where you extend or alter the roof space and it exceeds specified limits and conditions. Under the current regulations, a loft conversion for your property is considered a permitted development, not requiring permission, subject to the following limits and conditions:

• A volume allowance of 40 cubic metres for terraced houses.
• A volume allowance of 50 cubic metres for detached and semi-detached property.
• No extension beyond the plane of the existing roof slope of the principle elevation that fronts the highway.
• No extension to be higher than the highest part of the roof.
• Materials to be of similar appearance to the existing house.
• No verandas, balconies or raised platforms.
• Side facing windows to be obscured glass and any opening to be 1.7m above the floor.
• Roof extensions not to be permitted development in designated areas.
• Roof extensions, apart from hip to gable ones, to be set back as far as is practicable, at least 20cm from the eaves.

Within Schedule 2, part 1 (class A) of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) order 2015 are explanations for proposed larger homes extensions. This order explains how to apply for single storey rear extensions greater than 4m and up to 8m for a detached house and greater than 3m and up to 6m for other types of houses. This is relevant for rear extensions. For clarification speak to your Local Authority Planning Department.

Building Regulations

If you are carrying out electrical work in your home or garden in England and Wales, you will have to follow new rules in the Building Regulations and in particular Part ‘P’. You should use an installer who is registered with a competent person scheme to seek approval from a Building Control body. This is true for most work, however you do not need to tell them about repairs, replacement and maintenance work or extra power points or other alterations to existing circuits (except in a kitchen or bathroom, or externals).