Changing size of extension a month before build starts

aj9648

Hi

We are starting on an extension in a months time and lo and behold Mrs has changed her mind on the kitchen which means we probably need another 50cm !!! We have planning approved for 4m and wanting to go to 4.5m now.  Does this mean I have to get all my plans re-drawn, re-apply for planning, do building regs again, get the neighbours onboard.  I assume this would take a while and I could not start on the build until we have planning - unless we decided to start on risk.  I guess if the neighbours are happy then we could start even without official approval

What a palarver !!!

FaceHead

Yes. Changing your mind is an expensive business, and changing the size of the thing significantly will be a fresh planning application. Your builder then won't be able to start on time in a month. 

Will planning even be approved for another 0.5m? If so, why didn't you want it in the first place? 

Perhaps you'll decide (together) that the delay and cost of the change makes it not worth it. 

aj9648

FaceHead said:

Yes. Changing your mind is an expensive business, and changing the size of the thing significantly will be a fresh planning application. Your builder then won't be able to start on time in a month. 

Will planning even be approved for another 0.5m? If so, why didn't you want it in the first place? 

Perhaps you'll decide (together) that the delay and cost of the change makes it not worth it. 

If the neighbours agree - could I not go through a minor amendment process instead?

tonyh66

I doubt adding X metres squared to the build counts as a minor amendment, your first stop should be the planning dept. Secondly you might want to tell your builder the plans he quoted for have become bigger there are cost implications.

FreeBear

If you are a detached house, permitted development allows fro extensions up to 4m. A semi is only allowed 3m under PD. Anything more than that would require planning permission. So if you are extending beyond PD limits, you will incur costs and delays for that extra 500mm, and no, I don't think you'd get away with a minor amendment. Ask your architect for his/her opinion and the planning dept.

FaceHead

Agree that it's not a minor material amendment. Also the planning department will likely be a waste of time, but you might as well try. 

The response will probably be apply and see, or here's some information about our paid for pre application service. 

Your architect will be the first one to tell you anything useful, and that will be what their fee for new drawings is. 

stueyhants

I went about 40cm over the original plans and the builder was ok with it and no one else noticed. Building control didn’t mention it either. It all depends on the extension and how ‘interested’ your neighbours was during the planning process. 

Rosa_Damascena

stueyhants said:

I went about 40cm over the original plans and the builder was ok with it and no one else noticed. Building control didn’t mention it either. It all depends on the extension and how ‘interested’ your neighbours was during the planning process. 

Won't it come back to bite when it comes to selling the property?

stueyhants

Rosa_Damascena said:

stueyhants said:

I went about 40cm over the original plans and the builder was ok with it and no one else noticed. Building control didn’t mention it either. It all depends on the extension and how ‘interested’ your neighbours was during the planning process. 

Won't it come back to bite when it comes to selling the property?

I agree if it had been metres extra then it would be obvious then yes it would be spotted but we are talking about 10% of the build. When you buy a house you don’t get the tape measure out and compare it against previous plans if there is no dispute or no obvious signs something is wrong.

The key issue is the neighbours, are they likely to complain. If not I’d crack on, also even if you do get challenged you can always apply retrospectively as you are doing the work. There is a risk but again it depends on the extension and how controversial it is in the first place. Most extensions would be approved 4.5m out anyway.

FaceHead

Just doing it is an option worth considering. It will avoid planning fees, architects etc. and keep things on schedule. Otherwise you need to have ab awkward conversation with the builder pronto. 

My amendment was 'non-material' so only cost me about £400 for new drawings and a £30 planning fee. In retrospect, I could have just gotten away with it. 

The key questions are: will the neighbours care and if you were forced to apply for retrospective planning, how confident are you that you'd get it? 

aj9648

FaceHead said:

Just doing it is an option worth considering. It will avoid planning fees, architects etc. and keep things on schedule. Otherwise you need to have ab awkward conversation with the builder pronto. 

My amendment was 'non-material' so only cost me about £400 for new drawings and a £30 planning fee. In retrospect, I could have just gotten away with it. 

The key questions are: will the neighbours care and if you were forced to apply for retrospective planning, how confident are you that you'd get it? 

What was your amendment?
The neighbours are fine with it - no issues.  
I guess I dont have the radar with regard to if the planners would approve a retrospective plan - would they ask why did you go out further etc etc and that might be hard to answer.  Or is it a case of seek forgiveness afterwards ???