Extending your home

Having had your home tested during the winter months by the elements and family visits, you might be thinking that some extra room would be helpful, along with some minor alterations.

Where do you begin?

Permitted development rights.

Depending on your property type and location you are entitled to extend without planning permission for certain size single and two storey extensions. For instance a rear single storey extension to a detached building can be up to 4m deep or 3m deep if two storeys. More information can be found at www.planningportal.co.uk.

Whilst the expiry date for these rights in May 2016 may seem a long time away, the work will need to be completed by then for it to be permitted development.

Neighbour consultation scheme.

This extends the size of certain extensions under the permitted development rights. For instance the single storey extension above could now be 6m deep. It will require an application to the local planning department which should take no more than 42 days. But these works will also need to be completed on site by May 2016 to count.

Planning applications.

If you need more space than these options allow then you will need to make a planning application. Look back on the Cornwall Home Show blog for advice on finding your architect and planning applications.

This blog story was provided by Simon at D3 Architects.