You may have heard the terms “permitted development rights” being thrown around by friends or family during your initial talks of undertaking a house renovation. But what does this mean?

It means that, thanks to permission granted by Parliament (not your local authority), you have the right to perform certain types of work without the need to apply for planning permission. However, this only applies to houses, NOT flats or maisonettes or other types of building and applies to residential properties only.

You will also be excluded if your property is in a conservation area, national park or an area of outstanding natural beauty. If you are living in a listed building, a different set of planning application rules apply. Listed buildings are plentiful in the London area and we will be sure to inform you of any such restrictions at your consultation as we have all necessary advice and guidelines from the local planning authorities for the areas we work in.

So long as you do fall within the required permitted development rights, you can do the following work on your home without needing to apply for planning permission:

HOUSE EXTENSION AND LOFT CONVERSION PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS

DETACHTED HOUSES: You can add a loft conversion up to 50 cubic metres in volume or a ground floor extension 3m deep x 4m high.

SEMI-DETACHED HOUSES: You are permitted to build a loft conversion up to 50 cubic metres in volume and ground floor extensions 3m deep x 4m high.

TERRACED HOUSES: These only allow a loft conversion up to 40 cubic metres in height. Ground floor extensions are the same at 3m deep x 4m high.

Even though you can do these works without planning permission, remember that you will most likely need to seek approval from your neighbours as well as check any local authority regulations.

It is also advisable that you obtain a Lawful Development Certificate (LDC). It costs £103 and it states that the development on your land is lawful and adhering to regulations. At our consultation, we can confirm whether your planned house extension, loft conversion or renovation falls within the permitted development guidelines and assist you with obtaining your LDC certificate.

PLANNING PERMISSION

This is required for any type of extension or loft conversion that does not adhere to the Permitted Development Rights regulations. You can make a planning application to your local authority at a current cost of £206 (double that of the Lawful Development Certificate). Your local authority will consider your application and determine whether your plans are reasonable. If they find them to be so, they will grant approval, or they may request revisions. Each borough can vary drastically on planning policies and the team at Arrow Ltd will be able to advise you on local West London policies to help get your planning application accepted first time. We will always work with you to find the best solution for your needs that will also get you approved swiftly.

PARTY WALL AGREEMENT

The Party Wall Act of 1996 was brought in as a way to aid resolution between property owners and their neighbours when extension work is to be undertaken.

It states the property owner’s intention to carry out works that could affect the “party wall” which is the boundary line between you and your neighbour’s land. It assists you in gaining access to the neighbouring property while works are being carried out while protecting the rights and interests of your neighbours. As part of our project management service, we will determine if the work you are planning falls under this act and help you navigate giving the required notice to your neighbours.

PERMISSION FROM THE FREEHOLDER

If you do not own the freehold of your property you will have a lease agreement with the freeholder, and it will be necessary to gain permission from them before you carry out any works. You will also need to acquire a Licence to Alter and the requirements for this will vary dependent on the terms of your lease agreement. To obtain a License to Alter you will need to present design and structural plans, which we will be drawing up for you as part of our project management service so we will ensure that they are at a considerable standard when submitted.

THAMES WATER

Working in West London, we have time and again encountered construction and renovation projects, particularly with ground floor extensions, where foundation laying and digging work is taking place within 3 metres of a public sewer. Thames Water require notification of this, and you will need to submit the design plans to them in order for them to review and grant you a Thames Water Build Over Agreement. Arrow Ltd are happy to submit this application ahead of works starting as part of our project management service and the fee will be built into the itemised quotation, which we provide after the initial consultation.

Obtaining the correct permissions may seem overwhelming and time consuming amongst all the other considerations involved in a house renovation, but they essential to ensure that all work carried out on your property is lawful. We are Arrow Ltd are here to take the stress out of obtaining any required permissions as part of our complete service. If you have any questions or would like to book a consultation, please get in touch now.