Side Return Extension

The housing market in Britain’s southeast is hot. Trading up to accommodate a growing family is particularly daunting, and in many areas in and around London the saying “Don’t Move, Improve” has caught on. Recouping space from a house’s side return – the empty void at the rear that separates the kitchens and gardens and many attached terrace homes – is particularly common. With this option available to most Victorian homeowners comes the ability to plumb new areas of the home. Small period kitchens can open up into the side return of an attached house without eradicating the period look of the place. And in the recovered space, a corner can be reserved for a small guest toilet or utility room. In some neighbourhoods around London, side-return extensions are grouped under “permitted development”, which means they don’t require planning permission from the local council if the final plans heed the extended volume requirements of the area. Avoiding time-consuming planning applications will save you money in the short run.

Extending your house only a few metres can open up any space in a dramatic way – particularly if you find an architect whose drawings integrate the adjoining rooms. A side-return extension can turn several poky rooms into a so-called Great Room in just a few months. It can enable a family to include a kitchen island or peninsula in their plan where, previously, counter space was at a premium. Where once cupboards and uppers crowded the room, a good side-return extension can deliver clean, uncluttered walls hung instead with art. In a typical Victorian terraced house – still the most common style of family home, at least in London – a side-return extension has the greatest potential for transformation for the price.
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Many Victorian homes – particularly in London and some of the market towns within the Home Counties – sit in conservation areas with strict planning regulations. Applying for a side-return extension in one of these areas should be fairly straightforward, as long as the project complies with vernacular elevations. Anyone seeking to undertake a side-return extension in one of these areas would be wise to hire an architect to help ease them through the planning process. On top of this, they will have to undertake a Building Regulations application to make sure your design complies with national standards in fire safety, ventilation, plumbing and structural integrity. Better architects have relationships with most building and planning commissions and will be able to tackle these responsibilities for their clients. If you’re interested in taking on a side-return extension, contact your preferred architect or visit the Projects page of this website for more information.

A side return extension is when the house is going under development to make alterations and extend parts of the home. There are different types of house extensions available to choose from that allow for home improvement. It allows for people to get as creative as possible with their living environment and removes having to move houses. There are rules, regulations and restrictions that come with developments of side return extensions.

The planning would need to be done with certified professionals to ensure that the integrity of the area is respected and the renovations are done right with considerations to planning, design and construction. Expansion of small living spaces is made possible and it can add long-term value if done right and is considered. A side extension should make a notable and positive difference to the home by opening it up. With an extension or building insurance, you can ensure that there is protection against liabilities. This helps to reduce stress.

Permitted Development Involvement

The consent needed for certain side return extensions involves following the relevant planning development rules. When the magnitude of the project is not too big, and if neighbours have been consulted prior to submissions, the house extensions would then comply with the standards, where a lawful development certificate would be viable to apply for. This gives permission to continue with the project under national permitted development rights immediately after it has been issued. The requirements for permitted development involve a few factors.

The land and building type would need to be considered and understood. This would involve knowing the legality and restrictions of the area. In designated areas such as heritage sites or conservation areas, restrictions would be involved where article 4 may be issued. Article 4 directions remove or withdraw any permitted development rights. Flats, maisonettes and listed buildings may have development rights that would be similarly restricted or do not apply, however it can be noted that 500 square meters of office space can be rebuilt into homes if it falls under specific requirements and permitted development rights are approved.

Residential homes may gain approval for permitted rights for interior modelling, the roof that can include solar power and other house extensions. Requirements would involve needing materials that are like the rest of the house. The developments done on a single storey home can be extended up to 4 meters in height and a rear extension of up to 8 metres. Boundary limits and extensions have minimum requirements that should be consulted with the local planning authorities to ensure that permitted development can be followed.

Planning Permission Involvement

There needs to be adherence to all guidelines and regulations with a load of information when submitting your applications. There are many considerations and procedures to consider during the design phase to increase the likelihood of approval. It is recognised that in order to achieve early success; it is necessary to have a positive and professional attitude toward the planning process. As well as a collaborative experience with the planners.

It is essential to first guarantee that the drawings in the design phase are ready. The designs would need to be quite comprehensive, and if possible or desired in the relevant applications, a 3D model would be added for further guidance and evaluation. This is where interactions need to become notably collaborative with the fundamental planners, officers, and architects engaged, meaning that if risk assessments are supplied, they should be considered and the Local Development Frameworks followed. Likewise, all parties should be involved in discussions throughout the process by you or your architect.

Standards such as building regulations and possibly protected extension or building insurance must be followed. Building regulations compliance is achieved by submitting detailed design plans for a comprehensive plan application, which includes structural design standards. A full plan submission would be required depending on the scope of the project; otherwise, a building notice application would suffice, which would be reviewed by an inspector and the local authorities. If approved, it means that you comply with the building regulations.

Effects Of The Party Wall Agreement

The Party Wall Act was enacted in 1996 to avoid disputes between neighbours and neighbouring property owners. A party wall divides landowners along their relevant property borders. When building improvements or excavating beneath boundary lines, the statute requires that adjoining parties be considered. This ensures that your neighbour is notified in writing of the impending renovation plans beforehand.

The statute gives neighbours 14 days to challenge or agree with proposed plans, and if a proposal is not responded to, it becomes a dispute. The plans would have to be agreed on, and if not, a surveyor would draw out a party wall agreement. They may be entitled to take legal action if the prior warning was not supplied. The statute protects people from damage, loss, or infringement on their properties where you would then be liable to compensate them. The moral is that it is critical to minimise conflicts between you and your neighbours and to get their cooperation early on by carefully considering them when planning.

Value of Side Return Extensions

The building’s design should benefit you and your family. As previously indicated, a side return extension that is carefully built and planned may add significant intrinsic worth to the experience. The flow, character, and allure of how you want to add a modern twist with the help of the proper specialists in the development process should help provide value for you.

Within the living space, great ventilation and natural sunlight may be maximised and produced. It should clear out any superfluous space and make the room more spacious. The difficulties that are put forth may be used to drive for sustainability and distinctiveness while also allowing for possible camaraderie. If there is a rich history in the building, the constraint may be used as a guide to help create innovative, practical, and sustainable solutions.