Eastleigh Design Consultants

Civil Engineering & Architectural Services - 0151 476 8354 / help@eastleighdesign.co.uk

FAQ

How long will it take to complete my plans?

Following completion of a full measured and photographic survey, we aim to have outline sketches available for Client comment within two weeks and upon your approval to these design sketches, the completed drawings will be ready for submission to the Local Authority within ten working days.

Why choose edc?

There are people who undertake design work on a part time basis alongside their full time employment and, from our experience, it can be difficult to maintain contact with them. People who undertake this work on a part time basis will require the client (you) to submit and monitor your own application; and deal with any technical queries from the Local Authority Planning and Building Control Departments. Obviously, this can be very time consuming for you and can delay approval of your application. It is important to remember that these people are unlikely to hold the relevant insurance cover.

As a consultancy, we are able to provide you with a full and personal service, including liaising directly with local authorities on both technical issues and day to day enquiries with respect to your application.

How long does it take to obtain Local Authority approval(s)?

Clients should allow eight weeks for the Local Authority to form a decision on their application. Other Consultants may advise you of shorter timescales, however, we know from experience that eight weeks is a more realistic time scale.

What is the Party Wall Act and does it apply to the work I am proposing?

The Party Wall Act 1996 applies where work is being carried out on a wall in shared ownership with a neighbour and / or where your proposals may affect a neighbour’s property. Further detailed information is available form your Local Authority offices, or by visiting the web site of the Department for Communities and Local Government at www.communities.gov.uk

Do edc have the relevant insurance?

Yes, edc have all the relevant insurance policies including Professional Indemnity, so you can rest assured you are in safe hands.

Can I commence building works before obtaining planning permission?

It is not advisable to commence any construction works until either the relevant permissions have been granted or you have a letter from your local planning authority confirming you do not require permission for the work you intend to carry out.

Do I need planning permission to construct a new vehicular access?

If you intend to construct a new vehicular access or increase the size of an existing vehicular access onto either a trunk or classified road, then planning permission will be required.

Do I need planning permission to sub-divide my house?

If you want to divide off part of your house for use as a separate home then planning permission will be required.

Do I need planning permission to change my house into flats?

If you intend to change the use of a private dwelling from a single home to flats then planning permission will be required.

Do I need planning permission to build an extension to my house?

The following are examples of instances where you will need planning permission.
Please note this list is not exhaustive and if in doubt you should contact your local planning authority for advice.

  • You will need planning permission if your extension would be nearer to a highway than any part of the original house, unless there would be at least 20m between the house when extended and the highway.
  • You will need planning permission if your extension would result in more than 50% of the land around the original house being covered.
  • You will need planning permission if any part of your extension is higher than the highest part of the roof of the original house.
  • You will need planning permission if any part of your extension is more than 4m high and is within 2m of the property boundary.
  • You will need planning permission if you want to put up a building or structure that is more than 3m high, or more than 4m if it has a ridged roof.
  • For a terraced house or any house located in a conservation area, national park or area of outstanding natural beauty, you will need planning permission if the extension would result in the volume of the original house being increased by more than 10% or 50m3, whichever is the greater.
  • For any other house, not located in a conservation area, national park or area of outstanding natural beauty, you will need planning permission if the extension would result in the volume of the original house being increased by more than 15% or 70m3, whichever is the greater.
  • You will need planning permission if you live in a conservation area, a national park, area of outstanding natural beauty or the broads and you want to build a structure with a volume of more than 10m3.
  • If facing a highway, you will need planning permission to build a dormer or any other addition to the roof, if they would extend beyond the plane of the existing roof slope.
  • For a terraced house, you will need planning permission if your roof extension would add more than 40m3 to the original volume of the house.
  • For a detached or semi detached house, you will need planning permission if your roof extension would add more than 50m3 to the original volume of the house.

Do I need planning permission to build a porch?

The following are examples of instances where you will need planning permission.
Please note this list is not exhaustive and if in doubt you should contact your local Planning Authority.

  • You will need planning permission if the proposed porch floor area, measured externally, exceeds 3m2.
  • You will need planning permission if the highest part of the proposed porch would be more than 3m from ground level.
  • You will need planning permission if the proposed porch would be less than 2m away from a boundary with a highway.

Do I need planning permission to build a garden wall?

You will need planning permission to construct a wall, fence or gate if it is over 1m high and is located adjacent to a highway / footpath or over 2m high elsewhere.

Can I apply for planning permission after works are completed?

If you have decided to proceed with your development without seeking the relevant permission, then you can apply for retrospective planning permission. However, should the planning authority subsequently refuse permission, then it may require you to put things back the way they were before the development took place.

If I want to build a new home of any type will the building regulations apply?
Yes, as a new building all the appropriate requirements will apply in full.

If I want to build an extension to my home, will the building regulations apply?
Yes, but a porch or conservatory built at ground level and less than 30m2 in floor area is exempt provided that the glazing and any fixed electrical installation complies with the requirements of the building regulations Part N Glazing and Part P Electrical Safety.

If I want to build a detached garage will the building regulations apply?
No, provided the garage is under 30m2 and any fixed electrical installation complies with Part P Electrical Safety. Also, the garage must be single storey, contain no sleeping accommodation, and must be built substantially of non-combustible material or when built, it should not be less than 1m from the boundary of the property.

If I want to convert my loft will the Building Regulations apply?
Yes, the appropriate requirements of the regulations will be applied to ensure, for example, stairs are designed safely, the stability of the overall structure is not endangered, escape from fire is available and thermal insulation is brought up to current standards.

If I want to convert either an integral or attached garage for habitable use will the building regulations apply?
 Yes, the appropriate requirements of the regulations will be applied to ensure the conversion is suitable for habitable use.

Will the building regulations apply if I want to replace my windows?
Yes, if you are replacing the whole frame. However, if it is your home and you employ a FENSA registered installer, then you will not have to submit a building regulation application but the installer must give your local authority a certificate to confirm the work complies with Part L and other appropriate parts of the Building Regulations.

If I want to convert my house into flats will the building regulations apply?
Yes, the appropriate requirements of the regulations will be applied to ensure, for example, sound insulation is compliant, safe escape from fire is available and heat producing appliances are designed and installed to current regulations.

Do I need planning permission to work from home?
You do not necessarily need planning permission to work from home. The key test is, has it become a business premises or is it mainly still used as a private residence.

Eastleigh Design Consultants - Engineering & Architectural Services
0151 476 8354 / help@eastleighdesign.co.uk

Planning Information

Even if you consider your proposals fall within permitted development rights, you should still check with your local planning authority as they may have made an Article 4 Direction withdrawing permitted development rights for the property you live in.

If you decide to demolish a building, even if it has suffered fire damage, it does not automatically follow that you will be granted planning permission to construct a new building at the same location.