Do you need planning permission for a two-storey extension?

As of 31st August 2020, homeowners have been granted permission to extend their home by adding an additional two floors without the need for planning permission. But what are the restrictions and the intricate details of the new permitted development rights that allow upward extensions on existing homes?

In this article, we will go through what your new permitted development rights are and the rules that need to be followed when building your new two-storey home extension without planning permission.

What are permitted development rights?

Permitted development rights are changes that can be made to a property without having to seek planning permission from your local council. The majority of houses have permitted development rights, but flats, maisonettes and listed buildings do not, so planning permission is required.

What are the restrictions when building a two-storey extension?

Unfortunately, there are limitations to the new permitted development rights:

• you cannot add new storeys using the new permitted development rights if the house has had additional storeys added to it since it was first built
• if you live in a detached house that is two or more storeys high you can add two storeys
• if you live in a semi-detached or terraced house, you can go 3.5 metres higher than the attached houses
• for all houses, the roof type must match the existing style
• the external materials used for the new storeys must be similar to the existing building
• you can only use the new permitted development rights for houses that were built between 1948 – 2018; leaving out thousands of Victorian and period properties and homes in conservation areas.

Do you need ‘prior approval’?

Before starting your home improvement project, prior approval must be given due to the following factors:

• the impact the additional floors would have on adjoining premises, including overlooking, privacy, and loss of light concerns
• the exterior appearance, including the design and architectural elements
• air traffic and certain protected views

In addition, a full report must be provided about the construction management, hours of operation, and how noise, dust, and traffic will be controlled. Neighbours must be notified, and the extension cannot begin until prior approval is received.

Bespoke home extensions for South East & Manchester homes

We operate from two state-of-the-art factories, creating and installing made-to-measure home extensions for homeowners across the South East and Manchester. We offer a multitude of ways to build your new space, making it easy to create a structure that is entirely unique to your home! Our expert team of designers and surveyors will also take precise measurements, take care of any planning permission and Building Regulation approval. Plus, they will provide you with working drawings of your proposed space to browse through.

In addition, we offer 10-year insurance backed guarantees, so you can have complete peace of mind that the quality of your home extension will last for years to come! For more information, contact us today or call us on 0203 667 9707.

Read our related blogs:

How big can a conservatory be without planning permission?

Top 3 things to know before starting your extension project