Getting planning permission for several phases at once?

tired_dad

Hi, planning a 7x4m 2 story rear extension. Not sure we have the monies for the whole project in one go. Is it possible to get pp for the whole thing but only get downstairs done first? That would leave us to do the second floor another day.

Would an architect be able to do both in one go with structural calcs etc. then we could get pp for the whole thing but just build one floor initially. The foundations and metalwork will all be in place to add second floor as and when required.

Would also appreciate any advice on advisability of this strategy. Would there be a big price difference between a single job vs 2 jobs.

Seasons greetings and thanks for any advice

molerat

Seems a bit silly to build a fully habitable extension with a roof insulated to current spec only to rip it off to add an upstairs. You would be better off building the full shell and only completing the downstairs. The main pitfall could be that building regulations may change if you leave it long enough for the approval to expire and the extension could not be signed off because it would not comply.

cyclonebri1

As above, plus I think you, or you used to, get 5 years to complete, then the PP lapses and has to be re-applied for.

But again, what is good today could be illegal when it wants signing off in a few years time, but I think there is some "accomodation" for that somewhere?;);)

MX5huggy

There is no time limit on completion, you can take forever if you want!

You have 3 or 5 (depends on your planning authority) years to start from when permission is granted, putting in foundations is generally accepted as starting.

Having said that if you built a single story extension when you had permission for a double you would not be building what you had permission for so you face enforcement action, which would be you must build what you have permission for or take it all down.

As said it does not make sense to do as you suggest, the cost before fitout for the second floor is a few square meters of wall and the floor joists, windows could be blocked with wood and you would not need to knock through till you used it.

cyclonebri1

MX5huggy wrote: »

There is no time limit on completion, you can take forever if you want!

You have 3 or 5 (depends on your planning authority) years to start from when permission is granted, putting in foundations is generally accepted as starting.

Having said that if you built a single story extension when you had permission for a double you would not be building what you had permission for so you face enforcement action, which would be you must build what you have permission for or take it all down.

As said it does not make sense to do as you suggest, the cost before fitout for the second floor is a few square meters of wall and the floor joists, windows could be blocked with wood and you would not need to knock through till you used it.

I actually forgot about the critical bit that makes a total mockery of the whole system.


IE,


You only need to start the project within 5 years, not complete it, it remains open ended from thereon.


How flawed is that,

MX5huggy

In the end how would you make someone finish? Take the to court and compulsory purchase the building finish it at sell it?

tired_dad

Ta, all makes sense. Mad idea on reflection.

Robwiz

A good architect would answer the question for you and you could certainly save costs on the internal and external finish specifications to get within your budget.

If you have dug a hole in the ground that is evidence of starting the project so your consent would not lapse.

Local authorities don't take enforcement action if you build something smaller than approved – only if you build something bigger or that is harmful to a neighbours' amenity (i.e. overlooking or loss of light) or contrary to a Green Belt or conservation area policy.