IMPORTANT - READ THIS IF YOU ARE PLANNING HOME IMPROVEMENTS ...
The government has recently provided new legislation to make it easier for house holders to extend, convert or improve their homes. The permitted development rights have been radically revised so that most home improvement projects can now be determined as a Certificate of Lawfullness and not via the full planning route.

CERTIFICATE OF LAWFULNESS APPLICATIONS:
This is like a mini-planning application where the council will formalise your proposed development by issuing a Certificate of Lawfulness. This means that once approved you will not be affected if the rules change again or your council removed your permitted development rights. A Certificate of Lawfulness will also assist you should you decide to sell your home in the future. The process of obtaining a Certificate of Lawfulness is similar to a full plannign application where drawings are required together with forms and a council application fee. The process take 4-8 weeks depending on your council.

LOCAL PLANNERS HAVE NO DESIGN INPUT AND NO OBJECTIONS:
The great advantage with permitted developments is that the council planners, known to be a fickle bunch at the best of times, have no design input. Therefore as long as your development fits in with the new permitted development framework it cannot be refused for design reasons. The council will not advertise your proposed permitted development application and letters are not usually sent to neighbours. Because a permitted development is a right for home-owners neighbours cannot object to your proposal.

PREVIOUSLY REFUSED - APPLY AGAIN USING THE NEW RULES:
If you have had an application refused previously then it may be possible to apply again taking advantage of the new rules. Remember that providing your development fits in with the new framework then the council have no design input and the neighbours cannot object.

EXACTLY WHAT IS POSSIBLE WITH THE NEW RULES:
The new rules are more complex than the old system but in summary the volume limits for extensions have now been removed, single storey side extensions are now included, two storey rear extensions are included, larger rear extensions are possible, combined loft conversions and extensions are now allowed and outbuildings can now be built very close to the existing house (no 5m rule).

LOCAL ARTICLE 4 DIRECTIONS - WITHDRAWING YOUR RIGHTS:
The local council planning departments are not particularly happy and fear that they will no longer be able to control local development. The new laws no allow councils to remove your PD rights unilaterally with no right to appeal and no compensation. The result could be that many thousands of homeowners will lose most or all of their PD rights as the legislation is rolled out next year.

ACT NOW BEFORE YOUR PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS ARE REMOVED:
We are fully conversant with the new rules and regulations so please feel free to contact us for advice on Permitted Developments and Certificate of Lawfulness applications. Remember that once your council removes your rights you will not be able to make an application. Also once approved you do not have to start building works immediately.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I BUILD A NEW EXTENSION WITHOUT A CERTIFICATE OF LAWFULNESS AND THE COUNCIL REMOVES MY PD RIGHTS ?
You will have to apply for a Certificate of Lawfulness retrospectively and will have to comply with the new local restrictions. This could ultimately result in the council seeking an enforcement notice to have your extension removed. Formalise your new extension or loft conversion BEFORE you build for security and peace of mind.

DO I STILL REQUIRE BUILDING REGULATIONS APPROVAL ?
Yes - almost all forms of extensions and loft conversions will require building regulations approval so drawings are still required. Our stage 2 drawings are suitable for planning permission and building regulation purposes.