Permitted development rights for household extensions

There is a lot of talk at the moment about permitted development rights, but what do they actually mean and how can the help you?

Permitted development rights are a type of planning permission that is granted by Parliament, to allow you to by-pass the traditional planning permission process.

Regulated by the local authority, permitted developments rights will allow you to build or extend, within certain criteria, without needing a full planning application - saving you time and money!

But, there are strict criteria involved and you still need to make sure that your plans are compliant before you start building, otherwise you risk being asked to take it all down after you have finished.

The reason that Permitted Development Rights is such a hot topic at the moment is, in 2020 the Government passed a new ruling that increased the permitted size, meaning that you can now build a larger extension without full planning permission.

You will need to submit proper drawings for approval, and if you use an Architectural designer they can make sure that your plans meet the criteria of Permitted Development so that you know that it will be approved.

Each property has an allocated size of extension that is allowed under Permitted Developments, but, if your property has ever had an extension before then your allowance may have already been used up. The rules also do not apply to flats or maisonettes.

Once built, the extension will need a lawful development certificate to sign it off. This is to make sure that the build has been completed to the correct standards so that you will have no trouble if you come to remortgage or sell the property in the future. You can build without this but, you may have built a non-compliant property without knowing it, and you will probably have to supply an indemnity insurance policy for the buyer if you ever sold the property (which will likely cost more than the certificate!)

If you are thinking of extending your home and want to know if you will be able to do so under these new rules, get in touch with me on 07834258302, or email chris@418architecture.com

Architectural Designer or Structural Engineer, which one do i need?

Are you planning a self-build or extension, your very own ‘Grand Design’?

Have you started looking into what you need to do and seen the huge list of professionals that you need to help you – it can be mind boggling!

Maybe you have looked into things even further and got quotes from all of these professionals – this can massively increase the costs of doing your project, maybe even to a point that it becomes unaffordable!

Even if you are a little unfamiliar with the building biz most people will have heard of architects or architectural designer largely because of Tv programmes like Grand Designs and Amazing Spaces, however Structural Engineers don’t hold the same limelight with the lay person

So, who do you actually need? And for which jobs?

Architect/Architectural Designers

These are the people that take your needs and wants from the project and turn it into a design. Not just that, they are also the best people to get you the planning permission or listed building consent for your project. However, what you might not know is that the Architect/Architectural designer can be on hand throughout the entire project.

Starting with initial sketches, to a few design options in 2D, on to 3D models of the ultimate design choices that you make, moving on to the planning permission.

Once you have planning permission in place, we move on to technical drawings for building regulation approval. This is the point that a Structural engineer will come in and work alongside the project.

Architects/architectural designers would usually cover

• Design and architectural drawings

• Visual 3D models

• Planning submission

• Building Regulations

• Contractor Recommendations

• Site Visits

Structural Engineer

Very different to an Architectural Designer, a Structural Engineer is employed to make sure that the structure of the project is safe and secure. You will certainly need one for a new build or extension, but you may also need one for a renovation if you intend to impact on the structure of the building in some way (this could be removing a load bearing wall for example). Typically, during the building regulations stage of your project where the technical detail is added, is where your structural engineer will calculate the key elements of the project like foundations or steel beams.

It’s also worth mentioning Structural engineers can also prepare your building regulations drawing packages if you already have planning permission and a design to work from.

Structural engineers would usually consider

• What material is the architect proposing to build with?

• Where is the site located?

• What is the weight of all the collective parts of the project (including you and your furniture)?

• Then what structural support is needed to make the architects’ design ‘stand up’?

For substantial work such as a new build, extension, dormers or large conversions really you will need both professions, particularly if having the best design and highest quality end product is your priority.

Drop me a line if you have any questions or would like me to look over your project, I am always happy to help!