The following information is for guidance only and is not a definitive interpretation of the Planning Act. If in doubt you should contact you Local Planning Department for advice before undertaking any works to your property.

From 1 October 2008 an extension or addition to your home will be considered to be permitted
development, not requiring an application for planning permission, subject to the following limits and conditions:

• More than half the area of land around the "original house"* would be covered by additions or other buildings.
• No extension forward of the principal elevation or side elevation fronting a highway.
• No extension to be higher than the highest part of the roof.
• Maximum depth of a single-storey rear extension of three meters for an attached house and four meters for a detached house.
• Maximum height of a single-storey rear extension of four meters.
• Maximum depth of a rear extension of more than one storey of three meters including ground floor.
• Maximum eaves height of an extension within two meters of the boundary of three meters.
• Maximum eaves and ridge height of extension no higher than existing house.
• Side extensions to be single storey with maximum height of four meters and width no more than half that of the original house.
• Two-storey extensions no closer than seven meters to rear boundary.
• Roof pitch of extensions higher than one storey to match existing house.
• Materials to be similar in appearance to the existing house.
• No verandas, balconies or raised platforms.
• Upper-floor, side-facing windows to be obscure-glazed; any opening to be 1.7m above the floor.
• On designated land* no permitted development for rear extensions of more than one storey.
• On designated* land no cladding of the exterior.
• On designated* land no side extensions.

* The term "original house" means the house as it was first built or as it stood on 1 July 1948 (if it was built before that date). Although you may not have built an extension to the house, a previous owner may have done so.

* Designated land includes national parks and the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, conservation areas and World Heritage Sites.

For more information regarding permitted development or general planning inquieries please visit www.planningportal.gov.uk or contact Ez-Plans office.

We are now an official partner of the Local Authority Building Control, so you can be assured that all of our applications will be streamlined and consistent to save you or your business time and loss of potential earnings. We have a one-to-one working relationship with Dover District Council where we can gather immediate advice and plan appraisal whenever necessary.

Due to being an official partner of the Local Authority Building Control we can ensure:

1. This scheme helps to simplify and speed up the building process generating substantial savings in time and money.
2. Extensive technical expertise on a wide range of building matters.
3. A dedicated professional building control surveyor from the preferred local authority becomes part of the design team to offer advice on all projects nomatter where they are in the country.
4. A quality service geared to getting things "right first time".
5. A Certificate of Completion when works are finished in accordance with Building Regulations.
6. Pre-application meetings.
7. Advice on other related matters e.g. access for disabled people, means of escape, energy conservation.
8. Any local conditions, site specific information and necessary consultations are investigated on behalf of the client.

Do I require Building Regulations Approval ?

The following types of project will require Building Regulations Approval:

• The erection or extension of a building including conversion of the loft space.
• The Installation or extension of a service or fittings such as Washing and sanitary facilities, hot water cylinders, foul or rainwater drainage, replacement windows and fuel burning appliances of any type.
• Any structural alteration for example the installation of a beam between dining room and living room

Exempt works include the following:

• A porch or conservatory built at ground level and under 30sqm in floor area is exempt providing that the glazing complies with the safety glazing requirements of Part N of the Regulations.
• A carport extension, open on at least two sides and under 30sqm in floor area.
• A single storey detached garage under 30sqm in floor area, providing that it does not contain any sleeping accommodation, and is built of substantially non-combustible material and is no less than 1m from the site boundary.
• A Summer House, Shed or Greenhouse.

Building control is undertaken in two stages:

Stage 1:

The Building Control department will check the plans submitted to them and issue an approval once satisfied that they comply with the regulations.

Any queries relating to the plan appraisal will be dealt with and resolved by EZ-PLANS on your behalf.

Stage 2:

The Building Control department will inspect the works undertaken by your builder at various stages of the construction and issue a Compliance Certificate upon completion.

If you are thinking of altering or extending your home, this Act may apply to you. Any works to the separating wall between you and your neighbor’s property may require compliance with the Party Wall Act.

Responsibility For Owners

The Party Act came into force on 1 July 1996 and applies throughout England and Wales.

It provides a framework for preventing and resolving disputes in relation to Party Walls, Boundary Walls and Excavations near Neighbouring Buildings.

Anyone intending to carry out work of the kinds described in the Act must give Adjoining Owners notice of their intensions.

Detailed information can be obtained from your Local Council.

Or visit www.partywalls.org.uk to obtain the Free Explanatory Booklet produced by the Government by clicking on the booklet above.

Alternatively copies of this booklet can be obtained from:

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
Eland house
Bressenden Place
London
SW1E 5DU

020 7944 300

EZ-PLANS does not undertake this service.