The Power of Permitted Development

As of 1st of September, the UK Government has made some landmark changes to permitted development rights in England allowing us to enlarge our property without the need for planning permission.

The new permitted development rights to extend upwards have been in the pipeline for a long time and our team of RIBA-accredited Architects have been building up their knowledge base to enable them to support our clients in understanding how to make the most of the new rules.

What is Permitted Development?

The General Permitted Development Order (GPDO) is a national grant of planning permission, which allows certain building works and changes of use to be carried out without having to make an official planning application. The new policy has been rewritten to help speed up the planning process and create more homes by building upwards or altering the use of existing buildings.

What does Permitted Development mean to you?

The new rules were designed to help us all make better use of our existing housing infrastructure and to revive town centres and increase footfall. Homeowners are now able to add two more floors to their houses without needing full planning permission and commercial premises may now be demolished or changed for use in favour of residential development. 

The good news is that the red tape has finally been removed for a speedier process that opens up a number of possibilities for better living and financial gains for Homeowners, Developers and Landlords

Building Upwards

The new rules permit the construction of up to two additional storeys of residential accommodation on top of existing, purpose-built blocks of flats. Two additional storeys may be added where the existing dwelling house is two or more storeys tall, or one additional storey where the dwelling house consists of one storey, for example, in the case of a bungalow.  

Navigating the Criteria

In theory, the update to the Town and Country Planning Regulations 2020 sounds relatively simple but there are still several restrictions that need to be navigated and adhered to. Upward extensions need to meet tight criteria taking into account height, natural light, neighbour privacy and the construction method you want to use.  All projects of this nature will be subject to prior approval and formal submission of application to the local planning authority to seek confirmation that specified parts of development are acceptable before work can commence.

Personal Gains

With the flexibility to extend your home upwards, you may no longer need to move home to create the extra space needed for a growing family or elderly parents.

In the past, moving home to accommodate family life may have been your only option. Now you can forget Estate Agents’ commissions, stamp duty, moving costs and Solicitor fees, vertically extending your home with up to 2 storeys can provide the perfect living solution whilst protecting your precious garden space. 

We understand the rules so you don’t have to

Permitted development rights come with their own restrictions and in some cases, particular homes may not be subject to PD rules. A permitted development application needs to be accompanied by scaled architectural drawings, which outline the existing property and proposed development. 

Our experienced RIBA Architects can help you navigate the new PD rules, supply technical drawings, and encompass creative and practical design features whilst making the most of the space and providing the maximum value of the investment at a relatively small cost.

And of course, in the case that you require more flexibility and freedom for your project, we can apply for planning permission on your behalf to ensure the right criteria for your proposal are met and help maximise fast approval for your plans from the local council. 

Please contact us to discuss the vision for your project and our highly skilled team will help you understand how to truly make the most of your home.

Author: Jessica Parkes. Read more articles for MP Architects LLP https://www.mpcharteredarchitects.co.uk/news/