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