Under current planning legislation there are certain conversions to a house that fall under permitted development, meaning you can convert to a house without planning permission. They fall under GDPO (General Permitted Development) Order 1995, where a planning permission is not required. However, there are important exceptions to these rights, which are outlined below. … Read more »
Since 2014 barn conversions have benefitted from permitted development rights, meaning a full planning application is not required. For many, this has made barn conversions an attractive alternative to a new build. The main advantage here is speed and simplicity of gaining permission. There are other reasons that you might decide to opt for barn… Read more »
Converting a bungalow to a house A bungalow conversion to a house can involve some or all of the following work: adding an extra storey a loft conversion (within the existing roof space) a loft extension (e.g. adding dormers or changing roof shape) adding a basement below an existing bungalow. In addition to this, you… Read more »
What is the new planning policy for brownfield sites? An amendment to the Town and Country planning act (General Permitted Development) in 2020 has allowed development of new build houses to benefit from fast-track planning on small brownfield sites. The official published guidance states that the following criteria should apply: ‘Owners of vacant and redundant… Read more »
All buildings have a use class. The original Use Class Order 1987 has been recently updated in the Use Class Order 2020. List of use classes There is no official list of use classes is therefore open to interpretation of the above legislation. There are sometimes disputes (and varies between local planning authority) about which… Read more »
Good news, it is possible to convert a shop to residential use without needing planning permission. However, there are important exceptions where permitted development rights may not apply in your area or to your property. Image above – Design by Anamaria, architectural designer from Southwark, London. Click here to see more and shortlist them… Read more »
Starting a home renovation or building project is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. Whether you’re expanding your living space, redesigning a kitchen, or building your dream home from the ground up, finding the right architect or interior designer is crucial to bringing your vision to life. But where do you begin? That’s where… Read more »
When you might need to change planning permission You may need to change planning permission if you have bought a property or plot of plan with planning permission and need to alter the design. Otherwise, you may have recently obtained planning permission, but require some alterations after application has been made or decided. House… Read more »
Neighbours and the planning process If you’re worried about a neighbour stopping your house extension plans, it’s very helpful right at the beginning of the project to assess this risk as it may inform design decisions as well as your personal handling of the situation. Featured image from Tyrone, architect from Lambeth, London. See more… Read more »
A Design and Access statement is a written, often illustrated, document that accompanies your planning application form and drawings. It provides an opportunity to explain how your design proposal is a suitable response for its site and wider area. It’s only a requirement for major projects, listed buildings or certain householder applications in a conservation… Read more »
