A side extension in Highland Road, Amersham
A side extension in amersham or naywhere, unlike a rear extension often requires planning permission, as they frequently fall outisde of permitted development rights. Several considerations come into play, including the dimensions and elevation of the proposed project, potential impact on listed properties or conservation areas, and proximity to adjacent properties. Utilize the checklist provided below as a preliminary gauge to determine whether your project aligns with permitted development rights:
- Positioned to the side of the house (provided it does not face a highway), not at the front.
- Utilizes materials consistent with those of the existing house.
- Occupies less than 50% of the total land surrounding the original house, with “original” defined as the latest state of the property, or as it stood on July 1st, 1948, if constructed before that date.
- Occupies less than 50% of the width of the original house.
- Stands at a height of less than 4 meters (or 3 meters if within 2 meters of a property boundary).
- Features eaves and ridge lines no taller than those of the existing house.
Should uncertainty persist regarding the inclusion of your project within permitted development rights, we invite you to arrange a complimentary consultation call with our knowledgeable team.
Party Wall Agreements and Side Return Extensions: Party walls function as partitions between terraced houses, semi-detached houses, and certain detached houses, encompassing physical walls, outbuildings, or unseen boundaries shared with neighboring properties.
If your project involves a party wall or entails excavation within 3 to 6 meters (depending on the depth of new foundations) of a neighbor’s property, obtaining consent from the affected households is imperative, with a minimum notice period of 2 months before any construction commences. Given the close proximity of semi-detached properties, strict adherence to these procedures is paramount.
Therefore, prior to embarking on a home extension endeavor, proactive communication with neighbors is advised. Failure to do so may result in liability for property damage and legal expenses in the event of litigation. To preemptively mitigate such risks, engaging a surveyor to assess property boundaries and discuss potential extension limits with neighbors is a prudent course of action.
