Make the most of the Larger Home Extension Scheme

Does my single storey rear extension qualify?

To take advantage of this extra allowance under permitted development, you’ll need to ensure your plans extend no more than 8 metres (for a detached property) or 6 metres (for all other properties) from the rear elevation of the original house, as it stood on 1 July 1948.

Even if you haven’t built a rear extension yourself, your permitted development rights may have already been used up if a previous owner added to the property. If you think this might be the case, book a free consultation call with our friendly architects, who can check on your behalf.

The development must also comply with other conditions that apply to all rear extensions allowed under permitted development. These include:

• No more than half the area of land around the original house (as it stood on 1 July 1948) should be covered by buildings.
• The maximum height of the extension is 4 metres, as measured from the highest point of natural surface ground. The maximum height reduces to 3 metres if the extension is within 2 metres of a boundary.
• Construction materials must be similar in appearance to those used for the existing house. No balconies, verandas, raised platforms or chimneys are included.
• As with any other kind of permitted development, this scheme does not apply to homes in conservation areas, flats or maisonettes.

When do I have to build by?

In order to benefit from this scheme, your extension must be fully completed on or before 30 May 2019. You’ll need to notify the council in writing once your project is finished.

Remember that you'll need to leave up to 42 days for your application to be approved under the Neighbour Consultation Scheme, while sourcing surveyors and contractors also takes time, so you should start planning soon if you're interested in making the most of this increased allowance.

You can easily get the ball rolling with our affordable, fast turnaround planning packages, which include designs, floor plans, elevations and 3D renders.

What is the Neighbour Consultation Scheme?

This is the approval process for extensions built under the Larger Home Extension Scheme.

Once you provide the detailed plans for your project to the council (we can help you do this!), they will notify any adjoining owners or occupiers to your development (i.e. your neighbours) and invite them to raise any objections within a 21 day period.

If no objections are received, and the development complies with all of the relevant criteria under permitted development rights and the Larger Home Extension Scheme, you’ll be notified by the council within a 42 day period and may start building, potentially under certain additional conditions.

If your application is refused, you can appeal, and we'll advise you on the best next steps.

Ready to build that dream extension? Book a call today!