Is planning permission needed for exterior rendering / brick slips (cladding)

Bartoni79

Hi,

I live in a brick detached house (not in a conservation area). The brick is 60s looking brick is pretty horrible and our houseis a bit of an eyesore sitting between some pretty plush Edwardian houses which are part clay brick and older cream render. We wish to clad our house in antique brick and cream render (as part of a wider project) so it fits in and makes our house look much more suited to the street. Does this need planning permission? My architect is pretty ambiguous and says "it probably wont need planning" and the planning portal states the following. 

"You do not need to apply for planning permission for repairs, maintenance or minor improvements, such as painting your house."
"Cladding may be carried out without having to first apply for planning permission provided the materials are of a similar appearance to those used in the construction of the house"

Our house is brick and rendering obviously isnt the same material so Im perplexed - Im trying to find a definitive answer as I have renderers ready to start.

Thanks

Bendy_House

Can't be certain, but yours is brick and you are cladding it in, er, brick; 'materials are of similar appearance'. (And render...)

Bart, surely worth a phone call to ask? I doubt anyone could guess on this, and surely too risky?

I hope you get the go-ahead. Please please come back with before and afters - this sounds great.

FreeBear

Planning permission may not be required (but I'd check with the local planning dept first). If you are cladding more than 25% of the exterior, then Building Control should be notified - They may well require you to incorporate insulation behind the cladding which is going to bump up the cost.

Section62

Bartoni79 said:

I live in a brick detached house (not in a conservation area). The brick is 60s looking brick is pretty horrible and our houseis a bit of an eyesore sitting between some pretty plush Edwardian houses which are part clay brick and older cream render. We wish to clad our house in antique brick and cream render (as part of a wider project) so it fits in and makes our house look much more suited to the street. Does this need planning permission? My architect is pretty ambiguous and says "it probably wont need planning" and the planning portal states the following. 


Our house is brick and rendering obviously isnt the same material so Im perplexed - Im trying to find a definitive answer as I have renderers ready to start.

It will depend whether you live in a conservation area, if any of the properties are listed, and/or if there is an Article 4 direction or planning condition(s) in place on your property.  Also whether the application of the cladding will make a material change to the size of the property.

In other words, the only definitive answer will come from the local council's planning department.

Bear in mind that what you consider "horrible" and an "eyesore", others (including the planners) may regard as an essential component of the vernacular of the street.  Don't be tempted to give the renderers the go-ahead until you have it in writing from the council that you are Ok from both the planning and building control perspective.  Removing fresh render and restoring the appearance of 1960's brick is a time consuming (and therefore expensive) activity... if the council decides your improvement is not acceptable after you've just gone ahead and done it.  (does any of the wider project need planning consent as well?)

Bartoni79

Hi,
Is there a quick way to find out without going through a 2-3 month planning application process?

Thanks 

Bendy_House

Have you tried a phone call?

Bartoni79

Yes, the local council doesn’t take calls regarding planning. I tried to speak to them 3 months ago regarding a nearby planning application and they told me to email them as they don’t do phone consultations. I’m still waiting to hear back from regarding my email.

stuart45

It's because nowadays they charge for advice. The cost is normally over £100, but varies in different areas. 

Bendy_House

Admittedly pre-covid, but down here you could pop in and almost always have someone willing to have a 2-minute chat.

Bartoni79

Is your local authority Windsor and Maidenhead?

diystarter7

OP. Posters are really good here most of the time and I've noted several are experts in certain areas. However, every council if different and all you need to do is call the council and ask to speak with the planning dept and tell them re your plans. They will advise and get it in writing but you need to be clear as well about the exact nature of your works. Do that and then you won't have sleepless nights.
(Btw most coucils are a nightmare to get through to the right dept/etc but once through you often get a decent response)