| Since the mid 1990s there has been a vast | | | | appointment of a competent Building Designer |
| increase in the tendency for homeowners in | | | | who can prepare plans and provide this |
| need of more habitable space to extend or | | | | service on a fixed fee basis for all domestic |
| alter their homes rather than move to a | | | | home extension work, as an Architect would |
| larger existing or newly built houses. | | | | base fees on a percentage basis and would |
| | | | have more involvement in your project than is |
| The vast increase in house prices over the | | | | necessary. |
| last decade combined with a heightened | | | | |
| awareness created by numerous home | | | | The process of obtaining permission is |
| improvement and do-it-yourself television | | | | generally the same throughout the UK. |
| programmes has made it a more viable | | | | Different Planning and Building Regulations |
| proposition for the homeowner to alter or | | | | apply to Scotland and Northern Ireland |
| extend their existing home to create the | | | | compared to those in force in England and |
| accommodation they need. | | | | Wales however the regulations and the process |
| | | | for obtaining approval is very similar. |
| The financial cost of purchasing a new house | | | | |
| is generally far grater than the costs | | | | When a Planning Application is made to the |
| involved in extending a new home to provide | | | | Council immediate neighbours are informed |
| comparable accommodation. Although initial | | | | that an application has been made and they |
| funds need to be raised to cover the | | | | then have about two weeks to go to the |
| extension build costs, the overall increase | | | | Council offices to look at the plans and to |
| in the house value on completion will | | | | make any observations or objections on the |
| normally substantially exceed the extension | | | | proposals. Any objections they make would |
| build costs. | | | | have to be relevant under planning |
| | | | legislation to be successful in preventing |
| Homeowners tend to carry out a variety of | | | | the approval of the application. The Council |
| building projects on their homes which | | | | consider things like design and appearance |
| include extensions, garage to room | | | | and how the proposed project may affect the |
| conversions, loft conversion, dormers, and | | | | neighbours before they will grant approval. |
| conservatories etc. all of which usually | | | | |
| require permission from the local Council | | | | A building warrant application is normally |
| before work can start. The two main approvals | | | | considered by the Councils Building Standards |
| needed are known as a Building Warrant and | | | | or Building Control section. On receiving an |
| Planning Permission . Some building works of | | | | application they check the house plans to |
| a small or minor nature do not need these | | | | make sure they comply with the Building |
| approvals so it is important that | | | | Regulations. This process involves a lot of |
| clarification is obtained from a competent | | | | correspondence between the Building Designer |
| Building Designer. | | | | and the Council to satisfy them that the |
| | | | proposals will comply with the Building |
| Many homeowners understandably will not have | | | | Regulations. As part of the warrant |
| any previous experience in building work, so | | | | application process a Civil or Structural |
| the first thing they must do is appoint a | | | | Engineer may have to be appointed to provide |
| competent Building Designer to prepare plans | | | | design certification - your Building Designer |
| and guide them through the Councils approvals | | | | will be able to advise you further when such |
| procedure. I would always recommend the | | | | an appointment is required. |