Garage conversion on potential purchase

mi-key

I think the main problem with a two storey extension would come from the neighbours objections. Looking at the photo it would end up pretty close to the neighbour, and if no other houses in the road have two story side extensions it could be considered out of character for the area.

Single storey makes a lot more sense, and would also be a lot cheaper and easier to build ( no need to extend the existing roof etc.. ) 

Section62

mi-key said:

I think the main problem with a two storey extension would come from the neighbours objections. Looking at the photo it would end up pretty close to the neighbour, and if no other houses in the road have two story side extensions it could be considered out of character for the area.

Single storey makes a lot more sense, and would also be a lot cheaper and easier to build ( no need to extend the existing roof etc.. ) 

As I posted earlier in the thread, the main issue for the planners will likely be keeping the buildings separated visually - which doesn't necessarily mean they have to be a long way apart, they just need to look separated.

Not building right up to the boundary (i.e. leaving a path/passageway to the side), setting the front wall of the extension back a bit, and having the ridgeline of the extension lower than the main house, all together is likely to have the required effect.

In terms of being out of character, it doesn't necessarily matter that no other houses in the area have existing two-storey extensions.  What matters more is what the local policy is regarding side extensions, and the extent to which a two-storey extension would impact on the immediate neighbour.  If the massing is right then it shouldn't cause the planners too much concern.

Building two-storey - if permitted - makes more sense because the relatively fixed costs for design/planning, groundworks and foundations, and the roof, will be apportioned over potentially double the square metreage of habitable accomodation.  The only reasons for going single-storey for a side extension is if planning cannot be obtained for more, or if the budget isn't big enough (which questions whether this is the right property), or in relatively rare cases where there is some kind of technical issue.  Extending the roof over a side extension isn't a significant problem, but can easily be sidestepped by having the extension roof level slightly lower (as suggested above).

GDB2222

If it costs, in round terms, say £300-400 psf to build the extension, that figure should be compared with the cost of housing locally. It gives some indication of whether the extension will add more value than it costs to build. 

mi-key

GDB2222 said:

If it costs, in round terms, say £300-400 psf to build the extension, that figure should be compared with the cost of housing locally. It gives some indication of whether the extension will add more value than it costs to build. 

Good point, it may work out better and easier to look for a house that is already large enough

diystarter7

dimbo61 said:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/permitted-development-rights-for-householders-technical-guidance

As the poster has already noticed the local council planning may well  refuse any 2 storey extensions  as this may turn the road from a place with detached and semi detached houses to looking like lots of terraced houses with tiny gaps between. 
Permitted development  may be possible and serve the needs of you family 

Hi OP

Do still check with the coucil as they are the ones that will know

Good luck

babyblade41

diystarter7 said:

dimbo61 said:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/permitted-development-rights-for-householders-technical-guidance

As the poster has already noticed the local council planning may well  refuse any 2 storey extensions  as this may turn the road from a place with detached and semi detached houses to looking like lots of terraced houses with tiny gaps between. 
Permitted development  may be possible and serve the needs of you family 

Hi OP

Do still check with the coucil as they are the ones that will know

Good luck

If their council is anything like ours they will always refer you to their planning portal that includes fees.

diystarter7

babyblade41 said:

diystarter7 said:

dimbo61 said:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/permitted-development-rights-for-householders-technical-guidance

As the poster has already noticed the local council planning may well  refuse any 2 storey extensions  as this may turn the road from a place with detached and semi detached houses to looking like lots of terraced houses with tiny gaps between. 
Permitted development  may be possible and serve the needs of you family 

Hi OP

Do still check with the coucil as they are the ones that will know

Good luck

If their council is anything like ours they will always refer you to their planning portal that includes fees.

If OP's council is anything like ours and the gent I have spoken with, then OP will get a lot of good advice FoC

Thnaks