When it comes to your own renovation or extension plans, we’d always advise a healthy sense of curiosity about whether your neighbours have got work done on the house or how they went about it.
However, while it can sometimes serve as a helpful roadmap for how to get your own project approved, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll be as fortunate. We discuss why you shouldn’t bank on your neighbours’ build and how to give your plans the best chance of going through.
The Permitted Development myth
Despite common misconceptions, you may not necessarily be able to gain permission for certain renovations or house extensions under Permitted Development just because your neighbours have done the same. There are a number of factors that can impact this. For example, even if your neighbour is two streets away, they could fall into an entirely different set of rules to you. This can include being within a Greenbelt boundary, a Conservation Area or an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. In some circumstances, people may proceed with their project plans under what they believe to be Permitted Development rights but are often not.
In these circumstances, it would make the build unlawful and could cause you a number of problems later down the line (even as far as having to reverse the works done!). To avoid any bad surprises, find out whether or not you need to file a full planning application or whether you can proceed with your build under Permitted Development rights.
How to find out if you need planning permission
If you believe that your proposed project falls under Permitted Development rights, you’ll need to confirm this by contacting your Local Planning Authority (LPA) and applying for a Lawful Development Certificate. This essentially acts as proof that, at the time of your building work, the construction was law-abiding. This could be particularly important later down the line if you’re trying to sell your property.
If you have further questions about whether or not you might require Planning Permission and why, book a free advice call with our in-house Planning team. They have years of experience behind them and our 91% planning approval rate is a testament to their expertise.
© Matt Gamble
