2 separate single storey side extensions allowed under permitted development on each side of house

iainandBo

Q: If my house has an existing side extension which is half the width of the original house, can i further extend my house (single storey side extension) under permitted development (PD) to a different side original wall  on the opposite side of the house, i.e. can i apply the "half the width of the original house" rule twice against different sides of my house.
-Attached example plans - house is semi detached, original house 1900s and previous ext. under planning permission complete in the 80s
-Both side extensions would be on different sides of the house and from different original walls (therefore not failing the "enlargement" of an existing extension rule).
-I've read the Govt Technical Guidance (Permitted development rights for householders), Section A, (j)/iii on page 22
-------Reference to extension is in the singular (apart from the enlargement clause - which i believe i wouldn't fail) and therefore can i assume the rule applies per extension

It feels like the rules are up for interpretation, is there anything solid or historical examples where a similar project has gained a Lawful Development Certificate (LDC)? If the council rejected the LCD, would an appeal win?

Many Thanks in advance!

Doozergirl

Yes, you can build another side extension.  

That can be interpreted as a rear or a side extension, though, so really it shouldn't be more than 3m in depth to fall under PD.  I think it's worth running it past the planning officers before the neighbours complain about your 'rear' extension.  

You haven't got much width there so I would extend the party wall rather than attempt to build away from the boundary.  The wall needs to be detailed appropriately so there is no overhang.  

iainandBo

Thanks @Doozergirl, i hadn't actually considered the rear extension possibility, so thats another option. The only challenge with this is that the original rear wall is 4m beyond the side of the house (I missed off the plan), so any rear extension in the side channel would fall 1m short.
.
-I will contact the local planning office to get their views on it also.
-Your comment regarding neighbours complaints - do they have a different set of rights if its a rear extension over a side (if they are both permitted development?) We plan on talking them through the plan as a courtesy once we know whats possible. The wall against the boundary line would be no more than 2m high in any case.
-Final question - extending the party wall, does this open up a load more issues and actually stop the work falling under Permitted Development. Therefore its best to keep the build within the boundary to avoid this?

iainandBo

After a bit of research post your comment, i now realise that the rear and side extension PD rights apply inclusively as i will be extending form the rear and the side effectively. Therefore, to extend out via PD i would need to submit a Prior Approval to go beyond the 3m form the rear wall (which would involve formal consultation with the neighbours). If this fails, we wil have to go just the 3m under PD and step in at the end.
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Any tips for Prior Approvals (apart from talking to the neighbours)?

Doozergirl

I'm glad you worked that out. 

No, party walls do not affect whether or not something falls under PD.  

No advice on the neighbour thing, but it needs to be sympathetic because you could well be blocking their light!