You may want to add a side extension to your semi-detached house for a wide range of reasons. It may be to create more space, to create optimal layout, or to increase the value and quality of your property. It will be required to get a planning permission before you start the project. A semi-detached house involves a wide range of complications that further complicate the design of an extension.
It is recommended to follow these steps to add a side extension to such a property.
Build a planning strategy
A planning strategy should help you create the best-possible design to boost your chances of getting approval.
Consider the following points when building your planning strategy:
- Opportunities & Limitations: Each property is going to have unique opportunities and limitations. Examples of opportunities can include large garden in the back or wide gap to the side. Limitations can include a limiting internal layout or width of the property.
- Types of Applications: Once the opportunities and limitations have been determined, consider the relevant application for your side extension. Permitted Development is a common application.
- Lawful Development Certificate: It is essential to apply for this certificate in all circumstances.
It is recommended to contact a reputable planning and architecture service to determine the appropriate application.
Address relevant policy limitations
It will be required to research the relevant policies for your project. It will help to get the guidance of a planning and architecture firm. Depending on whether your application falls under permitted development or Planning Permission, it will be required to meet the respective conditions.
Best-possible side extension design
If you want to increase your chances of getting approval for side extension, it is important to choose the best-possible side extension design. The most important reasons include:
- The design should address your regular needs, improves value of the property, and improves quality of life
- The design should comply with the policy restrictions
Some of the other areas to be considered when adding a side extension include flow of light, style, materials, layout, and cost.
Consulting relevant parties
Once your designs have been finalised as per the applicable policies, you should be ready to submit the application. The council can ask you for feedback from parties that may be affected by your project. This can include:
- Neighbours
- Technical Consultants
Application submission & monitoring
Once you have created your side extension design complying with the relevant policies and consulted all the parties involved, you can submit your application. Once the application is submitted along with the fee, you should keep track of the proposal. This will involve two aspects:
- Liaising with the Council
- Proposing any changes to get around objections
If you want to make the process smoother and increase your chances of getting approval, it is important that you hire the services of an experienced planning and architecture firm. The right service will have experience working on similar projects involving side extensions for semi-detached houses. Check their track record in securing planning permission in similar cases.
