Kirstie and Phil bring us the latest in housing market news, there's a guide to alterations you can make on your home without planning permission, plus a look around the south London property market.
Want to unlock your home's true potential by knocking down walls or making some additions? If you own a house, not a flat, or a maisonette, you're not in a conservation area and providing the building isn't listed, there are a surprising amount of alterations that you make to your home where planning applications simply aren't necessary, although building control permits are. So, what can you do, and what can't you without planning permission?
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'With single storey extensions and conservatories you need to take into consideration the height, the volume and its proximity to the boundary, but within that, there are a number of opportunities and you may end up with an extension the size of a single garage, and in some cases even double storey height space which is not to be sniffed at,' says Graham Harris of SHH Architects. However, they will be subject to building control, so speak to your local council first.
You needn't have planning permission for this, but it's not as simple as taking a sledge hammer to your walls straight away. 'What you need to do is make sure you get the necessary building control permits and also it maybe useful to consult with a structural engineer if you are considering taking out any load-bearing walls,' advises Graham. Need more advice? Contact your local council and ask to speak to a buildings control officer. If you do take down walls at home, they will need to ok your plans, drawings or scribbles both before and afterwards, to ensure you've done the work properly.
Courtsey of Bisca
No planning permission is required, 'provided, of course, it doesn’t materially affect the outside of the house, then they are absolutely fine,' says Graham. 'You must, of course, seek building control approval first and if you want to introduce anything like roof lights, they’ve got to follow the same profile of the roof.'
'Outbuildings can be any size you want, provided they are 5m away from the house, and they don’t provide coverage of more than 50 per cent of the garden,' continues Graham. 'In terms of height, there are restrictions, so I would go and sort of consult with the local authorities - you can’t go building four storey structures.'
Nigel Rigden
'Provided you’re not in a conservation area or the property is listed, you can tile, you can paint, render and you can over-clad your building,' says Graham.
'If it's a covered swimming pool then it falls into the same restrictions as with outbuildings,' says Graham. 'However, if it's an open air pool, it can be any size, provided it doesn’t cover more than 50 per cent of the overall garden.'
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