Prior Approval Larger Extensions Made Permanent!

[Equus]

HOT OFF THE PRESS:

In response to the several topics that have mentioned it recently...

I've just been notified by my Planning Director that the Permitted Development rights for larger extensions have now been made permanent.

I'm just on my way out to do a survey, so I've not actually had chance to review the changes to the GPDO myself, but will do so tomorrow.

Edited to add: this has now been confirmed by changes on the Planning Portal

Edited by Equus on Thursday 9th May 15:36

[ScothEgg]

I know I was one to post on this topic so would be grateful to know what it is you've learned.

My build has only just commenced and there is no way that it's going up be complete by the end of the month. My LPA has suggested they would like to see projects substantially completed by the end of the month but that was a risk I was willing to take.

[Equus]

I will when I find out myself!

Shortly after sending the email notification, our Planning Director followed up with an email that said that the annotated/consolidated version of the GPDO that is showing on the Planning Jungle (which will highlight latest changes) hasn't been updated yet...

Further news as and when received.

[Fermit and Sexy Sarah]

I'm in for updates, as we currently have a 4.1 metre deep extension (on a terrace) which should require completion by the EOM.

Also, Equus, I could do with a few pointers RE a neighbours over-baring front extension that's being put in for permission tomorrow, it's on my topics.

[Zetch]

Hi. I'm following this thread as I'm in a similar boat although we haven't started the build yet. We plan to commence the works in August and have approval under the larger house extension PD which as you know provided that work must be completed by end of May. I've also heard that the PD will be made permanent but my concern is whether they'll be some sort of transitional arrangements (ie allowing those with approval under PD 2015 to carry out the works under the new rules provided they're complete within say 12 months of the approval notice) or whether we'll have to reapply for approval. Does anyone know the answer to this yet please? I'm really hoping we won't have to go through the process again as we only obtained approval in April of this year (unaware at the time that the PD expired end of May). TIA

[Zetch]

Hi. I'm following this thread as I'm in a similar boat although we haven't started the build yet. We plan to commence the works in August and have approval under the larger house extension PD which as you know provided that work must be completed by end of May. I've also heard that the PD will be made permanent but my concern is whether they'll be some sort of transitional arrangements (ie allowing those with approval under PD 2015 to carry out the works under the new rules provided they're complete within say 12 months of the approval notice) or whether we'll have to reapply for approval. Does anyone know the answer to this yet please? I'm really hoping we won't have to go through the process again as we only obtained approval in April of this year (unaware at the time that the PD expired end of May). TIA

[Equus]

Zetch said:

H... my concern is whether they'll be some sort of transitional arrangements (ie allowing those with approval under PD 2015 to carry out the works under the new rules provided they're complete within say 12 months of the approval notice) or whether we'll have to reapply for approval. Does anyone know the answer to this yet please? I'm really hoping we won't have to go through the process again as we only obtained approval in April of this year (unaware at the time that the PD expired end of May). TIA

Local Authorities have the right not to enforce, if it is their judgement that enforcement action is not appropriate.

See link here

It would clearly be absurd to enforce against something that did not require approval before, and does not require approval now, just because there was a brief period when it fell between the cracks. I would assume that common sense will be allowed to prevail even without any formal transitional arrangement or 'amnesty', therefore. As it stands, the existing relaxation doesn't expire until the end of this month, anyway, so there may not even be any gap.

I'm still waiting to see the official confirmation, however - and it's yet to be posted as news on the Planning Portal. Could yet turn out to be a false alarm!

[MJNewton]

Zetch said:

I've also heard that the PD will be made permanent but my concern is whether they'll be some sort of transitional arrangements (ie allowing those with approval under PD 2015 to carry out the works under the new rules provided they're complete within say 12 months of the approval notice) or whether we'll have to reapply for approval.

If my understanding is correct, you don't need to '(re)apply for approval' under Permitted Development; they are rights afforded to you by legislation subject to compliance with their stated eligibility requirements. If you are thinking about a 'Certificate of Lawful Development' then, in this scenario, this is just *confirmation* that your proposal falls within Permitted Development and does not therefore require Planning Permission. It is not *approval* per se, if you see what I mean.

Edited by MJNewton on Friday 3rd May 11:57

[Equus]

MJNewton said:

You don't need to '(re)apply for approval' under Permitted Development; they are rights afforded to you by legislation subject to compliance with their stated eligibility requirements.

Slightly different with larger extensions, of course, as you do require 'prior approval' under the neighbour consultation scheme.

I guess the question being asked was whether a neighbour consultation and prior approval given under the former implementation would remain valid under the new one.

[MJNewton]

Ah, okay. Apologies.

[ScothEgg]

Equus said:

Zetch said:

H... my concern is whether they'll be some sort of transitional arrangements (ie allowing those with approval under PD 2015 to carry out the works under the new rules provided they're complete within say 12 months of the approval notice) or whether we'll have to reapply for approval. Does anyone know the answer to this yet please? I'm really hoping we won't have to go through the process again as we only obtained approval in April of this year (unaware at the time that the PD expired end of May). TIA

Local Authorities have the right not to enforce, if it is their judgement that enforcement action is not appropriate.

See link here

It would clearly be absurd to enforce against something that did not require approval before, and does not require approval now, just because there was a brief period when it fell between the cracks. I would assume that common sense will be allowed to prevail even without any formal transitional arrangement or 'amnesty', therefore. As it stands, the existing relaxation doesn't expire until the end of this month, anyway, so there may not even be any gap.

I'm still waiting to see the official confirmation, however - and it's yet to be posted as news on the Planning Portal. Could yet turn out to be a false alarm!

Were you able to confirm any updates? Is there anything expected to be confirmed by the end of the month?

[Equus]

ScothEgg said:

Were you able to confirm any updates? Is there anything expected to be confirmed by the end of the month?

Yes, sorry ... been busy with other stuff, and I still haven't got round to reviewing the wording of the changes to the GPDO myself, but the Planning Portal has been updated to confirm that the 'larger extensions' neighbour consultation allowances have now been made permanent, so I think it's safe to consider it official!

Link to the Planning Portal

[ScothEgg]

Equus said:

ScothEgg said:

Were you able to confirm any updates? Is there anything expected to be confirmed by the end of the month?

Yes, sorry ... been busy with other stuff, and I still haven't got round to reviewing the wording of the changes to the GPDO myself, but the Planning Portal has been updated to confirm that the 'larger extensions' neighbour consultation allowances have now been made permanent, so I think it's safe to consider it official!

Link to the Planning Portal

Thanks again. That's given me some relief, just need to crack on now!

[Venom]

Yep, the new Statutory instrument comes into effect on the 28th May I believe, so no fallow period in the regs.

[dickymint]

Fermit and Sexy Sarah said:

I'm in for updates, as we currently have a 4.1 metre deep extension (on a terrace) which should require completion by the EOM.

Also, Equus, I could do with a few pointers RE a neighbours over-baring front extension that's being put in for permission tomorrow, it's on my topics.

Equus has been quite active in your thread

[Fermit and Sexy Sarah]

Yes, he was, prior to that post. His input was gratefully appreciated.

One quick question, we have our rear extension going up ATM, under the neighbourhood consultation scheme. Our deadline to complete is the EO May. We're working towards this, but it will be tight. Does this extension mean we can pass the deadline with no worries?

[PAT64]

thx great link ts and info

"No extension forward of the principal elevation or side elevation fronting a highway"

Does that mean no house with a street in front of it can have a side extension anymore ?

[Equus]

Fermit and Sexy Sarah said:

One quick question, we have our rear extension going up ATM, under the neighbourhood consultation scheme. Our deadline to complete is the EO May. We're working towards this, but it will be tight. Does this extension mean we can pass the deadline with no worries?

Yes

PAT64 said:

thx great link ts and info

"No extension forward of the principal elevation or side elevation fronting a highway"

Does that mean no house with a street in front of it can have a side extension anymore ?

There has been no change there - 'twas always thus - and no, it just means that side elevations fronting a highway are treated as front elevations.

[PAT64]

Equus said:

There has been no change there - 'twas always thus - and no, it just means that side elevations fronting a highway are treated as front elevations.

Cheers equus

[Fermit and Sexy Sarah]

Equus said:

Fermit and Sexy Sarah said:

One quick question, we have our rear extension going up ATM, under the neighbourhood consultation scheme. Our deadline to complete is the EO May. We're working towards this, but it will be tight. Does this extension mean we can pass the deadline with no worries?

Yes

Brilliant news, many thanks.