About Larger Single Storey Home Rear Extensions and Your Neighbours

It’s true that if you can have a cordial relationship with those living near to you, life is much more pleasant. To be honest, most neighbours are at least “okay” – the “from hell” stories you read or see gain prominence simply because they are so unusual.

However, that said, one time when relationships can become strained is when larger home extension building work is being considered. To simplify matters, the government has introduced legislation, currently covering the period up to May 2016, to increase the size of permitted single storey rear extension work, at the same time as introducing an associated neighbour consultation scheme.

Your quick guide to the new scheme

The size limits for single-storey rear extensions under permitted development has increased from 4 to 8 metres for detached homes and from 3 to 6 metres for all other dwellings. Any extensions within these new size guidelines need to go through the following steps:

• The homeowner must notify their local planning authority and provide a description and site plans of the proposal, together with the addresses of adjoining properties and contact address for the developer
• The authority might ask for further information and will then serve notice to the adjoining properties (and copy in the developer), providing the above information (together with relevant time limits)
• An adjoining neighbour can raise an objection within (a minimum period of) 21 days and the authority will reach a decision based on this
• The developer can go ahead if notified of such a decision in writing by the local authority, or if no response is provided by that authority within the 42 day determination period
• If permission is refused, an appeal may be made by the developer

Any work then completed must be in accordance with the details provided and within all other relevant limitations and conditions applying – and must be completed by 30 May 2016 (the developer needs to advise the local authority of this completion).

The above is a simple summary to introduce you to the key parts of this new process. One piece of good news – there is no fee for this! You will, of course, need the full details and these are provided in the Larger Home Extensions: Neighbour Consultation Scheme V1.1 document issued by the Department for Communities and Local Government.