VAT on extensions

[Damienb]

My father was ill and we have planning permission to build an extension to my parents house. This is a 3-bed, kitchen, living room... extension. Essentially it's a new house but passed as an extension due to the fact we needed a connecting door (aged parents, care needed etc).

As I understand it, even though it's effectively a new house (as big if not bigger than the existing building), it's still subject to VAT. Am I right or can it be saved in any way?

Any help/advice much appreciated.

Damien

[Doozergirl]

If it is connecting, then it is an extension.

If you could get planning permission for it being a separate house and have it operating with it's own gas supply, council tax etc. and build it as a semi detahced house to existing one then you could claim back the VAT. Once you've finished it all and have it all approved and signed off, then you knock through into the existing house?

I wonder if that would work?

[Me Myself]

Not toally sure, bit I seem to remember something aout this in the last budget. Vat may be reclaimable if it's for a disabled person.