On Monday 26 September we were unfortunately unable to receive emails due to a technical problem.  Please notice that normal service has no resumed.

The Government has announced that from 1 December there will be new householder ‘permitted development’ rights for micro wind turbines and air source heat pumps.

Do you own property in the Green Belt? If so you may be aware of the strict planning policies controlling new development.  The policies applied by Councils are based on the Government’s national planning policy as set out in ‘Planning Policy Guidance 2: Green Belts’ (PPG2).  In the case of residential property PPG2 advises that extensions are acceptable provided it does not result in a disproportionate increase in the size of the ‘original’ dwelling.  However, in applying this guidance to their own planning policies Councils vary in their interpretation of what amounts to a ‘disproportionate’ addition.  Runnymede Borough Council consider any enlargement of more than 30% of the original gross floor area to be disproportionate whilst Bracknell Forest Council apply 40%.  Other Councils, Woking, Surrey Heath and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead do not apply a figure at all.

Whilst there is such a variation of approach ultimately the same issue remains, that being a restriction over the size of extension that can be achieved. This is of course further reduced if the property in question has already been extended.

So  what is the solution if you want to extend your property by a size that would be considered by your local Council to be ‘disproportionate’.  Unfortunately there is no magic solution to this as each site will have its own issues.  However, a possible approach may be to undertake some work as ‘permitted development’.  Permitted development is planning permission, for certain forms of development, that is granted by a Government Order.  This includes some extensions to residential properties although this is subject to various restrictions in relation to size and height.  It is also worth highlighting that in some instances properties may have had their permitted development rights removed.  However, if your property has permitted development rights in tact and you are considering a further extension there may be scope to undertake an extension that combines an extension that is permitted development in addition to an extension that requires a formal planning application.

Here at Griffin Lascelles Associates we have lots of experience of dealing with applications in the Green Belt and advising clients on a strategy that maximises the amount of additional floorspace you can add to your property. Feel free to give us a call or email us at info@gl-associates.co.uk and we will be happy to discuss your options with you.

GLA have successfully processed an appeal against the refusal of planning permission by Guildford Borough Council for a single storey rear extension in Chilworth, Surrey.  The application was refused by the Council because it would have resulted in a dwelling with a floor area in excess of 85 sq m and would therefore have been contrary to policy H9 of the Guildford Borough Local Plan.  However, in allowing the appeal the appointed Planning Inspector accepted the argument put forward by GLA that there existed ‘other material considerations’ to justify the proposal.  This argument was based on the fact that an equivalent sized extension could have been constructed as ‘permitted development’ outside of the control of the Council.  For further details of this appeal and/or a copy of the decision notice please contact us on info@gl-associates.co.uk

Planning permission was this week successfully obtained for the enlargement of a detached dwelling near Larch Avenue, Sunningdale.  The consent grants permission to raise the roof of the property with new front and rear facing dormers to add a third floor to the property. Full details of the application can be found at http://www.rbwm.gov.uk/pam/view.jsp?ID=11%2F01961%2FFULL

GLA are pleased to announce confirmation of the extension of a contract to provide planning consultancy services to the education department of Bracknell Forest Council. GLA have been working with Bracknell Forest council since 2010 providing expert advice in respect of planning applications for education related development.  In addition GLA have assisted their education department with assessing the impact of new housing development, that is planned to take place up to 2026, on education facilities and the likely demand for additional pupil schools.

The Government has published new guidance on the regulations governing the display of advertisements.  this guidance can be viewed via the following link ( http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/letteradvertisingcontrol ) and attempts to explain in simple terms the complex regulations regarding advertisements and when formal consent is required.  Please contact Griffin Lascelles Associates if you require any advice or assistance with gaining consent for an advertisement.

After a few months absence our blog is back…

Please take some time to have a look at our web site which has recently been updated with details of recent projects.  We’ve also includes a ‘news’ page to provide all the latest news from the world of planning and architectural design – in addition to what we’ve been up to at GLA… http://www.gl-associates.co.uk/news/

We have this week secured planning permission for a 2 storey side extension, within the Green Belt, near Ascot, Berkshire. The development will increase the gross floor area of the dwelling by approximately 30% providing an additional bedroom an enlarged entrance lobby and new living room. Full details of the application can be viewed on Bracknell Forest Council’s web page via the following link