20+ years of designing home extensions
Good extension design is rarely just about maximizing size. A bespoke scheme creates more space, more light and an enhanced value while being simpler and cheaper. What matters is the impact on the home as a whole.
Extension Planning
For best tips on planning a home extension see our headline article below as featured in The Daily Telegraph Property Section, "Secrets of a Planning Maestro"
Planning Advice
We are frequently contacted by homeowners, builders and developers in a panic who had assumed that their building works were lawful, but alas now know better. Exceptions and exemptions to the rules abound. Some of our happiest (and most relieved!) clients are of this sort.
Measured Surveys
Our survey packages are used by hundreds of law firms, agents, property owners, and property agents throughout the UK. Every survey is bespoke and tailored to the job at hand.
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Aftercare
Extensive and ongoing support is provided before, during and after a project's completion. After-sales support is crucial.
Our clients frequently request an array of bolt-on services. We are always pleased to assist.
- A good space can add light, space, and value. Often being smaller, simpler, and cheaper.
- The goal is a bespoke design that fits your budget.
- Many extensions don't require planning permission, but the rules can be tricky.
- No fee, no commitment, we're here to help.
- Be careful: people often misread the regulations and exceptions are common and can cause problems later.
- Call us to check: we can confirm if your project is lawful or flag any issues early.
This guidance reflects temporary increases to the size limits for single-storey rear extensions that must be completed by 30 May 2019, and the associated neighbour consultation scheme.
An extension or addition to your house is often considered to be permitted development, not requiring an application for planning permission, subject to the following limits and conditions:
No more than half the area of land around the "original house"* would be covered by additions or other buildings.
No extension forward of the principal elevation or side elevation fronting a highway.
No extension to be higher than the highest part of the roof.
Single-storey rear extension must not extend beyond the rear wall of the original house* by more than three metres if an attached house or by four metres if a detached house.
In addition, outside Article 2(3) designated land* and Sites of Special Scientific Interest the limit is increased to 6m if an attached house and 8m if a detached house until 30 May 2019.
These increased limits (between 3m and 6m and between 4m and 8m respectively) are subject to the prior notification of the proposal to the Local Planning Authority and the implementation of a neighbour consultation scheme. If objections are received, the proposal might not be allowed.
Maximum height of a single-storey rear extension of four metres.
Extensions of more than one storey must not extend beyond the rear wall of the original house* by more than three metres.
Maximum eaves height of an extension within two metres of the boundary of three metres.
Maximum eaves and ridge height of extension no higher than existing house.
Side extensions to be single storey with maximum height of four metres and width no more than half that of the original house.
Two-storey extensions no closer than seven metres to rear boundary.
Roof pitch of extensions higher than one storey to match existing house.
Materials to be similar in appearance to the existing house.
No verandas, balconies or raised platforms.
Upper-floor, side-facing windows to be obscure-glazed; any opening to be 1.7m above the floor.
On designated land* no permitted development for rear extensions of more than one storey.
On designated land no cladding of the exterior.
On designated land no side extensions.
* The term "original house" means the house as it was first built or as it stood on 1 July 1948 (if it was built before that date). Although you may not have built an extension to the house, a previous owner may have done so.
* Designated land includes conservation areas, national parks and the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and World Heritage Sites.
Please note: The permitted development allowances described here apply to houses and not to:
Flats and maisonettes (view guidance on flats and maisonettes)
Converted houses or houses created through the permitted development rights to change use as detailed in the change of use section)
Other buildings
Areas where there may be a planning condition, Article 4 Direction or other restriction that limits permitted development rights.
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The “small print”…
Just Plans is a Limited Company Companies House reference 10113657
By “advice” or “consultancy”, we mean that we are generally happy to offer provisional thoughts and suggestions to homeowners and other existing or potential clients, based on our experience of having submitted hundreds of planning applications for many different properties for many different councils over more than a 20 year period.
Because of this and other similar experience, many people who are considering a project find it useful to talk us through their plans. At our reasonable discretion, we are generally happy to spend some unpaid time listening and walking people through the general process and the typical different options that they might like to consider.
Any such advice or consultancy is limited to provisional and general guidance. The risks and rewards associated with any project or decision exclusively remain the homeowner’s or the developer’s, unless we have explicitly stated otherwise in writing and have been paid to share in such risk or such responsibility.
Likewise, we assume no liability for taking on any “due diligence”, any CIL negotiation, accurately predicting the local authority’s decisions, any role as Principal Designer or similar, or any other role or function whatsoever, whether or not it forms part of RIBA or RICS or any similar legislation, unless we have explicitly stated otherwise in writing, and unless we have received payment for the same.
Unless otherwise agreed, we act exclusively as our clients’ agents, and under their authority. We agree jobs on a case by case basis, always evidenced in writing, and never on a merely verbal basis.
For full terms of service and for how our plans should be used, refer also to the right hand margin of any plan supplied.