To carry out the side return extension to the rear of the house, although it falls within permitted development (just), we still need to obtain pre-planning approval. This involves submitting architect’s drawings to the council, waiting for the council’s planning department to consult the neighbours and playing the waiting game.
The process can take up to eight weeks, in some cases more if there’s a backlog of applications or objections from the neighbours.
We’re hoping to have an answer mid-late March. As soon as we do it will be full-steam ahead on the building work as we’ll be on countdown – the lease on our rental flat is up on 6th June.
In a nutshell, once planning is approved (if it’s approved), we will have just over two months to renovate an entire house and make it livable for a 2 year old. Eeek!
Here are the plans we submitted as part of our application. They were created by Brighton architectural firm BPM. The practice is headed up by James Boys who has given us some really useful advice and has a clear and straightforward approach. It’s great when the complication is taken out of things! Fingers crossed for approval…
The infill extension (side return)
First floor remodel and loft conversion
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