Changes to permitted development rights for household extensions

In April 2015 The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 came into force.

This amendment introduces a number of temporary relaxations and/or new procedures for householder extensions, schools, changes of use, extensions to commercial premises, and the removal of prior approval for telecommunications apparatus in conservation areas.

If you want to construct a single-storey rear extension that:

• Extends between 3m and 6m from the rear wall of the original house and you live in a terraced/semi-detached house or
• Between 4m and 8m from the rear wall of the original house if you live in a detached house or
• Exceeds 4m in height and
• Would otherwise comply with the remaining provisions of the 1995 Order, i.e, that

(i) With any other extension or outbuilding it would not cover more than half the original garden

(ii) If the extension would be within 2 metres of the boundary of the house, the eaves height of the extension would not exceed 3 metres;

(iii) It would not consist of or include the construction or provision of a veranda, balcony or raised platform; the installation, alteration or replacement of a microwave antenna;  the installation, alteration or replacement of a chimney, flue or soil and vent pipe, or an alteration to any part of the roof of the dwellinghouse;

(iv) The external materials (other than materials used in the construction of a conservatory) shall be of a similar appearance to those used in the construction of the exterior of the existing house; and

(v) Your property is not located in a conservation area, this will now be subject to a prior approval procedure.

If your extension falls within the above criteria before you can begin your extension you must notify us at this email address householderpa@portsmouthcc.gov.uk that you are intending to build this extension. You must give the following details so that we can deal with the request;

• The dimensions of the extension  –  length from the original rear wall; the maximum height; and the height of the eaves;
• A plan showing the site and the proposed extension
• Addresses of adjoining premises
• The developer’s/applicant’s contact address, and
• The developer’s/applicant’s email address

We will then notify adjoining properties that you want to extend your property, they will be given 21 days to respond. If no objections are received at the end of the 21-day period, prior approval will not be required and you can then start your extension.

If an objection is received, then the council will consider what impact the extension would have on adjoining properties.  If it is concluded that the extension would have an unacceptable impact on the adjoining properties then prior approval will be refused. If the impact is considered to be acceptable then prior approval will be granted.

Your extension cannot be started until we have notified you that the prior approval has been approved which must be within 42 days from the submission date.

You have a right of appeal to the Planning Inspectorate if prior approval is refused.

Applications under the Larger Home Extension schemes are now liable to be charged an application fee. This is due to the new legislation coming into effect titled ‘The Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications, Deemed Applications, Requests and Site Visits) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2019’. The fee liable to pay is £96 and this will come into effect on Monday 26 August 2019.