How much can you extend in your garden

forneamax

Hey


I've set my eyes on a house to buy in Hatfield,Hertfordshire.
The house is nothing special and stinks like hell so it will need a lot of work done to it but it's end of terrace and has a huge garden in the back and to the side. So if I would buy it I'd definitely look to extend it.
Now my question is does anyone know how much are you allowed to extend in your garden? I fear that even if the garden is huge, I'd still only be allowed the 3m that I've seen mentioned for extensions that don't require permission.
I'd appreciate any pointers from you guys

Browntoa

look at google maps satelite view and note what the other local houses have as its a strong indicator of whats allowed . I thought 30% increase in Sq Ft was normally acceptable subject to acceptable design

LateStarter

Local rules can override this but:

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/commonprojects/extensions/

forneamax

Browntoa wrote: »

look at google maps satelite view and note what the other local houses have as its a strong indicator of whats allowed . I thought 30% increase in Sq Ft was normally acceptable subject to acceptable design

I had a look and on google maps you can't zoom in close enough to get an idea. But on bing maps I've managed to find this i.imgur. com/sokTfu2.png
The house I'm looking at is the leftmost one(circled). I see the neighbour has a small extension but you can see that his garden is about half the size so that's why I've been thinking that I may be allowed to make something more decent than that.

LateStarter wrote: »

Local rules can override this but:

Thanks for the link, some good information in there.
Override for the worse or better? Or they can do both I guess depending on the council laws?

blackshirtuk

You can go out as far as you like with full planning permission. A 1 storey extension will pass very easily and not cost that much.

moneyistooshorttomention

There is, apparently, an element of bearing in mind what part of the country you are in.

This - from the fact I don't intend to extend anyway - but have gathered I'm in a pretty "corrupt" part of the country of "Not what you know - but who you know" type area and basically extension is highly unlikely (bar you being related to a Power In The Community type person).

Overall - I tend to agree with my current area's stance on that......

But its worth checking what sort of area you live in in that respect..

Hertfordshire - at first glance = maybe/maybe not type of area.

silvercar

forneamax wrote: »

I had a look and on google maps you can't zoom in close enough to get an idea. But on bing maps I've managed to find this i.imgur. com/sokTfu2.png
The house I'm looking at is the leftmost one(circled). I see the neighbour has a small extension but you can see that his garden is about half the size so that's why I've been thinking that I may be allowed to make something more decent than that.


Thanks for the link, some good information in there.
Override for the worse or better? Or they can do both I guess depending on the council laws?

Where is the road?

Looks like a path to the front of the house and the road some distance away?

G_M

The best thing you can do is go to the local council offices and speak to a planning officer. They will tell you

a) what you can build without applying for Permmission
b) what you are likely to be allowed build if you apply for Planning Permission

Take with you:

1) house particulars
2) Ordnace Survey map of the street & area
3) Photos of the house, the garden, and any other extensions built on other houses in the street

forneamax

silvercar wrote: »

Where is the road?

Looks like a path to the front of the house and the road some distance away?

Don't feel exactly comfortable to give the name of the road but yes, there is a foot path and then a front garden and then the road. Does that make a difference?

G_M wrote: »

The best thing you can do is go to the local council offices and speak to a planning officer. They will tell you

a) what you can build without applying for Permmission
b) what you are likely to be allowed build if you apply for Planning Permission

Take with you:

1) house particulars
2) Ordnace Survey map of the street & area
3) Photos of the house, the garden, and any other extensions built on other houses in the street

Yeah, I guess that is the best thing to do. Just trying to get as informed as I can if I end up purchasing it.

Thanks for all the input guys, really appreciate it!

Jon_B_2

As its terrace you do have a moral duty IMO to consider your neighbours and the blocking of light that any exceptional extension may cause.

silvercar

Don't feel exactly comfortable to give the name of the road but yes, there is a foot path and then a front garden and then the road. Does that make a difference?

Yes it does make a difference because there are more restrictions on building very near to roads. Looks like you are fine.