Eric Pickles has secured the agreement of the House of Lords for a temporary adjustment to the General Permitted Development Order to allow householders to build larger single storey rear extensions.  It is looking like the process will involve what the Government calls a new ‘light-touch’ neighbours’ consultation scheme:

Homeowners wishing to build extensions under the new powers would notify their local Council with the details.  The Council would then inform the adjoining neighbours.  If no objections are made to the Council by the neighbours within a set period, the development can proceed.

If objections are raised by neighbours, the Council will consider whether the development would have an unacceptable impact on neighbours’ amenity.  This is a form of ‘prior approval’ process which allows for consideration by Ward Councillors, and (if the Council wishes) by a Planning Committee.

There will be no fee for householders to go through this process, but the Government has yet to announce when the new provisions will be introduced.  It is widely understood that the depth of single rear extension that might be possible through this provision will be:

• up to 6 metres for a terrace or semi-detached house, and;
• up to 8 metres for a detached house.

The existing rights are 3m and 4m, respectively.  We will keep you updated.