Side Extensions

At some stage in our lives many of us will feel that we have outgrown the space we live in. But is moving home the only answer to finding more space? Staying put and extending the space you have may actually be more cost effective than moving, and can add significant value to your home. A simple way to do this is to add a side extension to your home. Some benefits of this include:

Creating greater living space to meet more than one demand
Creating a flexible space that will meet your future needs as well as your present ones
Add value to your home
Avoid the time, effort and costs associated with moving home

...and you may not even need planning permission!

N.B. Planning Permission for Extensions is not always required

Key Points

Any side extension you propose can be no wider than half the width of the original dwelling house. In this case, the original house means as it was first built or as it stood on 1st July 1948. If you intend to build within 2 metres of the boundary, the important thing to recognise is the height restrictions that apply depending on the style of extension you propose.

In addition, did you realise that you can build upon no more than 50% of your garden area? In working this out, please remember to include those outbuildings which already exist here in your calculation (say your garage or shed for example).

If you live within any area that enjoys a statutory designation* such as a conservation area or national park, do remember that it will not be possible to build a side extension without planning permission. Please see the planning application section on information on how to apply for planning permission.

You might want to consider information in these additional areas:

Do I Need Planning Permission?

Planning Permission will not be required if:-

The extension to the side of the property is only single storey and no higher than 4 metres and no wider than half the width of the original dwelling house.
Conservatories and single storey rear extensions within 2 metres of a boundary are no higher than 3 metres with a flat roof or 4 metres with a pitched roof.
Materials must match the existing.
No more than 50% of your private garden area can be built upon. In this calculation, you must include any outbuildings that already exist here.