Some new build homes cannot be extended without first obtaining written permission from the builder or property developer. However, this is only requirement for a set number of years, often only two or three which will be specified within the new build documentation. Most developers will grant permission without any hassle once the developed has been finished even if before the specified time.

You can undertake some extension projects without the need for planning permission, referred to as your “permitted development rights”. Under the rules, single storey rear extensions can come out by up to 3 metres for semi-detached, terraced and link-detached houses, and by 4 metres for a detached house. This is based on the original plans of the building, or as it stood on 1 July 1948 if older. However, you can apply for prior approval for rear extensions up to 6 metres for semi-detached, terraced and link-detached houses, or by up to 8 metres for a detached house.

In the last few years, permitted development rights have expanded to encompass a wide range of projects. But, you’ll need to be sure your project meets the rules. If it veers beyond what is permitted, you will have to apply for full planning permission.

You may remember the ‘larger home extension’ scheme that was introduced in 2012, which allowed you to build rear extensions up to 8m in length. Since September 2020, this has now been brought into your permitted development rights. Detached houses have an allowance of 8m and other homes 6m. However, any rear extension classed as large (longer than 4m for detached or 3m for everyone else), needs prior approval which involves consulting your neighbours on the development. There are also height parameters. The extension needs to be less than 4m in height (or less than 3m if within 2m of a property boundary). And, have eaves and a roof ridge that are no taller than the existing house. A rear extension needs to take up less than 50% of the size of the land around the original house (“original” being when the property was built, or if it was built before 1948, then as it stood on 1st July 1948). Our Morehaus, single storey, rear extensions are based on Permitted Development rules that don’t require any consultation or prior approval.

We have designed our extensions to fit within the permitted development rules. However, some of these rules are specific to your location, home and garden, rather than the extension design itself. While it should be possible in most cases to decide whether or not a proposed extension qualifies as Permitted Development, there are always instances where this is less clear cut. Some properties also have an Article 4 restriction removing your Permitted Development Rights for various reasons, which can be checked with your local authority easily. If you are confident that you comfortably comply with the rules, then there is no law to say you need to obtain a Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) and you can proceed with you extension. If there is any ambiguity or question whether your extension passes permitted development tests, or just for peace of mind, you may choose to apply for an LDC first. This is not the same as planning permission, but is proof that your extension was lawful at the time you apply. It can also be useful to have when you come to sell your property to help answer queries raised by potential buyers. These can also be applied for retrospectively, but will be more expensive.

Obtaining an LDC often requires similar documents to planning permission, albeit not always as many. You will need to have architect style plans of your house, such as existing and proposed floor, sides and rear projection plans, as well as a location plan. The main difference to planning permission is that rather than asking for permission to carry out your extension, you are proving to the council that your proposal fits within the permitted development rules. This often means it’s a simpler and faster process, especially if yours if quite a straightforward proposal. Here at Morehaus we can assess whether your home is suitable for our extensions under permitted development rights and talk you through the LDC process. Whether you choose to obtain an LDC or not, we can provide everything as part of our extension packages. It can take up to 8 weeks to obtain an LDC, once everything is submitted, so this needs to be factored in early, if it’s a route you’d like to go down.

Regardless of whether or not planning permission is required, any renovation project must comply with building regulations. You’ll need to ensure whoever carries out the work can either self-certify the work (for example, FENSA accredited window fitters, Gas Safe registered gas engineers and NICEIC registered electricians and so on) or will liaise with the local Building Control Officers at your council to have their work certified. If the requirements aren’t met, you could be served with a notice to take the extension down and will have trouble when it comes to selling your home without the relevant Building Regulations certificates. As part of a Morehaus extension package, we take care of all Building Regulation matters.

Before starting the project it’s important that you contact your home and contents insurance provider to let them know of your plans. The extension will likely increase the rebuild cost of your house. Insurers take this into account when pricing premiums. While building work is being undertaken, it could put the property at risk of damage. If you don’t let your insurer know and there’s a problem with the property at some point, you may find your policy is void. Your insurer will let you know if your current policy will cover the new extension. You may find your premiums increase. If for some reason they are unable to cover the property now, you’ll need to find a new provider before your cover is cancelled. You should also check that any builder working on your property has professional indemnity insurance to cover the costs should something go wrong.