A lot of people turn to extensions as a way of improving their home, creating more space and making a property a more enjoyable space to be in. However, there are a lot of rules and regulations in place, and so it is important that architects understand this.
In this post, we are going to take a look at the Larger Home Extension Scheme in particular. However, before we go into the specifics of this scheme, we should first look at the different benefits that are associated with adding an extension to your home.
Why should you consider adding an extension to your home?
- You will be able to stay in the property that you love if you decide to have it extended. A lot of people find themselves in a position whereby they have to either extend their property or move into a different home. This is usually because they are adding to the family, with a baby on the way. However, it could be because you are going to be looking after an ageing parent. No matter the situation, you may feel sade about the prospect of having to leave your property and move into another one. This is not the only option, though. Instead, you could extend your home. The best thing to do is to consult with an experienced architecture firm. They will be able to assess the space that you have available, and they will provide their recommendations on the best way for you to extend your home so that you can maximize functionality in the most thoughtful and effective way.
- This also leads to another benefit: you can avoid the stress and the expense of moving home. A lot of people assume that moving home may be cheaper because they are going to get money from the sale of their own property. However, these people often tend to forget about all of the other costs that are associated with moving home. This includes everything from legal costs to stamp duty, the cost of moving furniture, and much more. If you do the maths, you will typically find that opting to add an extension to your home is going to be a lot cheaper.
- You are also going to be able to increase the value of your own property by having an extension added to it, which will make you much more money in the future. The amount of value you can add will depend on the property you have on the moment, your location, and the type of extension that you are going to be adding. However, you can expect to add thousands to the asking price of your home. Plus, an experienced architect will be able to give you a better understanding of how much value an extension will add. Plus, clever and thoughtful design can ensure that you maximise the value of your property as much as possible through this addition.
UK Government Larger Home Extension Scheme
The Larger Home Extension Scheme is one of the regulations that are in place when it comes to extending your property, although it is something that benefits the homeowner and architect, which is always great news. Nevertheless, you do need to make sure you understand the scheme so that you do not end up going against it by mistake.
A brief overview of what to expect from the Larger Home Extension Scheme:
- This can take a bit longer than other planning to obtain, but it means you don’t actually need planning permission, so it is quicker than what would have been required originally.
- Only applies to single-storey rear extensions.
- Planning permission is not needed.
- The design needs to follow the stringent rules that are in place, which is why it is important to work with a qualified and experienced firm
- You need to get consent from your neighbours before you begin construction.
- You can extend your property by between six and eight metres depending on the type of property you own.
Further details on The Larger Home Extension Scheme
The Larger Home Extension Scheme was introduced back in 2012. It gives homeowners permission to build a big rear extension without planning permission being required. The scheme was due to expire in May 2019, however, it was made permanent because of its success and popularity.
With this scheme, if a home is detached it can be extended by as much as eight metres. However, for other home types, it can be extended by as much as eight metres. This represents a significant change. Under your Permitted Development Rights, only half of this was permitted.
Nevertheless, it is important to recognise that your affected neighbours will need to approve the plans before you start the building work. You are also going to need to get a Lawful Dev elopement Certificate from your local authority. They will first need to approve the extension and they will then issue you a certificate at the end of the process.
For extensions like this, it is always important to make sure that you consult with experienced architects who understand the scheme and know how to adhere to it.
Some final words about The Larger Home Extension Scheme and choosing an architect with care
To conclude, there is no denying that you need to make sure you check out the rules and regulations that are in place in your area before undertaking any sort of building work. The Larger Home Extension Scheme has brought a lot of good news to architects and homeowners around the country, as it means they can extend their property without having to go down the route of seeking planning permission.
However, it is imperative to make sure you work with experienced and qualified architects when having a large extension built for your home. This is exactly what you have with us. Give us a call today if you would like to find out more about building an extension onto your home.
