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SELF BUILD
Common Planning Problems: What’s The Solution?
Plan, plan and plan again should be the mantra of any self-builder or renovator. There’s no guarantee you won’t have to raid the contingency fund, but knowing the basics of planning and building regs will give you the chance to prepare a realistic budget and avoid delays.
Are Listed Buildings Problematic?
A listed building is a property of special historical or architectural interest. Grade II buildings are of ‘special interest’ and every effort is made to preserve them. Grade II* are a step up in significance and the highest listing is Grade I for properties of ‘exceptional interest.’
If you’re not sure if your home is listed, go to the English Heritage Images of England website (www.imagesofengland.org.uk) to search. Your local authority Building Control department will also have full records in what are called the Greenbacks – books of the listed buildings within the council’s boundary.
If you do have a listed building you must apply for listed building consent to alter or extend the building in any way. This can include the maximum size of any shed and repainting the exterior. Assume any building work will need consent and contact your local planning department to ask for guidance.
Moving To A Conservation Area? If you buy a plot in a Conservation Area, a National Park, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or the Norfolk or Suffolk Broads, there are additional restrictions to building work that don’t apply in the rest of the country.
You may need permission to lop trees, change the roof tiles or add a satellite dish. Even putting up a fence or gate over 1m high will always need permission. In other words, check everything with your local council’s planning officials before buying.
These areas are designated to preserve the quality of the environments but the planners are keen they don’t become a historic theme park or open-air museum of rural life. So, you may be able to make a substantial change to a building if you’re planning to start a business employing local people or bringing wealth into the local economy.
