Planning thoughts

[Chloe_s]

Hello everyone

I'm thinking about an extension to my semi detached house and wanted to gauge an idea of what's possible from the very helpful people on this forum before formally getting an architect.

The house is a corner semi. It's a bit unique with the address on the main road to the front but front door from the side road (when standing in front of house).

There is about 5m to the side, I was thinking about a double storey side extention up to the boundary and then move the front door to the actual front of the house. But I'm confused what the principal elevation would be and whether this new side extention at more than half the width of the original would be possible.


Any thoughts would be great. Thanks in advance.

 

[Nakajo]

Typically, the principal elevation is the one facing the road. There are exceptions but in these instances, if you stand outside and look at your house, it's usually pretty obvious.

 

[Chloe_s]

Typically, the principal elevation is the one facing the road. There are exceptions but in these instances, if you stand outside and look at your house, it's usually pretty obvious.

Thanks. You are right it is obvious but was worried that with the entrance on the side road it could be open to debate.

Assuming the main road is the front, do my plans seem feasible of extending to the side boundary and moving the front door.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

It is usually a matter of on a drawing of the layout of the property, extending a line parallel and in line with the front of the building to both edges of your property. To the rear of that line subject to PP they will allow your to build, ahead of it they will not. There may be restrictions imposed, if you want to build all the way to the boundary, due to sight lines for traffic if it is a busy road.

Best to have an informal word with planning, they will advise genarally on what they might accept.

 

[Chloe_s]

It is usually a matter of on a drawing of the layout of the property, extending a line parallel and in line with the front of the building to both edges of your property. To the rear of that line subject to PP they will allow your to build, ahead of it they will not. There may be restrictions imposed, if you want to build all the way to the boundary, due to sight lines for traffic if it is a busy road.

Best to have an informal word with planning, they will advise genarally on what they might accept.

Thanks you. Will do that. Building lines was also a worry. Going to the side will breach the front of the house of the side road. However, nearly all the corner houses on the street have similar side extension which also appear to breach. But I know that's not an argument Planning entertain.

 

[^woody^]

The front door does more define the principle elevation.

Where a house sits facing two roads then it's a case of taking an objective assessment of the character of the house and its features and determining which would be the most likely main or principle elevation.

Building lines are not impossible to build over. Refer to your local planning policy and specific mention of corner plots.

 

[Notch7]

whether this new side extention at more than half the width of the original would be possible

whilst full planning does not have rules on the maximum size of increase, there is a national and local planning policy framework and there is usually a maximum volume increase that is generally allowed

Of course if you can determine it is a side extension then you might find you can get your extension under permitted development

 

[Chloe_s]

Thanks all. Can't see anything specific in planning policy. I'm encouraged that's the idea is not ridiculous at least.

Indeed would be easier if the address road is principal. Would argue this on the basis that the two semis should have the same definition and next door has the entrance on the front.

 

[^woody^]

There are principles and often local policy regarding extensions not being too large or too dominant compared to the existing house. "Two-thirds as wide' or such like is commonly referred to, otherwise more vague statements such as "not overly dominant" are used.

This can be down to subjective opinion, as despite a property having lots of space, planners may not want it filled in. However it is possible to design a large extension but reduce its dominance.