In recent years the scope of permitted development in oxford has expanded enabling homeowners to carry out home improvements and conversion projects without having to obtain planning permission.
However, current development rights can be complex and interpretations can differ between local planning departments. If you do plan to undertake work under permitted development, there are strict rules you will need to adhere to; please see more information below.
House extensions
The linear approach used here is based purely on the distance an extension protrudes from the building. Maximum sizes and heights for rear and side extensions apply, regardless of the size of the original house. Owners of small houses will benefit proportionately more than those of large ones.
These rules appear to be based around the notion of a standard-house and the one-size-fits-all approach makes for some interesting outcomes when applied to ‘non-standard’ arrangements.
Permitted development rules for extensions;
No extension forward of the principal elevation or side elevation facing onto and visible from a highway
Maximum depth of a single-storey rear extension of 3m for an attached house and 4m for a detached house
Maximum depth of a rear extension of more than one storey of 3m including ground floor
Maximum eaves height of extension 3m within 2m of boundary
Maximum eaves and ridge height of extension no higher than existing house
Side extensions to be single storey with maximum height of 4m and width no more than half that of the original house
Two-storey extensions no closer than 7m to rear boundary or existing rear wall if closer than seven metres to boundary
Roof pitch of extensions higher than one storey to match existing house
Side-facing windows above one storey to be obscure-glazed; top opening allowed
Materials to match existing house
Maximum 50 per cent coverage of garden
Roofs and loft conversions
Loft conversions have never needed planning permission, it’s only externally visible works altering or extending a roof that do. As with extensions, restrictions for this type of project rely on calculations of volume.
Roof extensions must start a minimum of 20cm above the eaves, while PD allows for external roof alterations like solar panels and protruding roof lights on front-facing roof elevations, except, inevitably, in designated areas.
Permitted development rules for loft projects
40 cu m loft extension for terraced houses
50 cu m loft extension for semi-detached/detached houses
Extensions must start a minimum of 0.2m above the eaves to maintain the visual appearance of a roofline
No extension beyond the plane of the existing roof slope fronting the highway
No extension to be higher than the ridge
No raised terraces, verandas or balconies
Side-facing windows to be obscure-glazed; top opening allowed
Permitted development rules for roof alterations:
Alterations should not project more than 150mm from the existing roof plane
No automatic right to build above the ridge of the building
No restriction on the percentage of the roof that can be altered
Garden buildings
PD legislation specifies a maximum eaves height as well as ridge height restrictions for gardens, and, importantly, overall limits on the amount (in square metres) of outbuildings allowed before a need for planning permission kicks in. With the limits set at 20m square metres for smaller gardens and 30 square metres for larger, this is a radical reduction in previous allowances.
The reference to a limit of 10 square metres for outbuildings, garages and swimming pools more than 20 metres from the house in designated areas is an interesting one. What kind of garage or swimming pool has a footprint of 10 square metres – that’s say 5 metres by 2 metres – who would build a garage that barely offers enough room for a car before the doors are opened, or a pool not much bigger than a bath?
Permitted development rules for garden buildings;
No outbuilding, garage or swimming pool forward of the principal elevation
Outbuildings and garages to be single storey with maximum eaves height 2.5m and maximum overall height of 4m with a dual pitched roof (3m with mono-pitched roof)
Maximum height 2.5m within 2m of boundary
Maximum coverage of garages and outbuildings 30 sq m if garden covers more than 100 sq m or 20 sq m if the garden is less than 100 sq m
No raised terraces, verandas or balconies to be added to the house
Maximum 50 per cent coverage of garden
Agricultural conversions
New revisions to permitted development rights came into force on the 6th April 2018, providing more options to convert agricultural buildings into family homes. Introduced by Housing Minister Dominic Raab, the rules were introduced to ease rural housing pressures by increasing the number of properties that can be developed from existing agricultural buildings.
Previously, planning regulations limited the number to three properties, but the new amendments have now raised the maximum to allow conversions of up to five new homes.
Permitted development rules for agricultural conversions:
up to three larger homes within a maximum of 465 square metres or
up to five smaller homes each no larger than 100 square metres or
a mix of both, within a total of no more than five homes, of which no more than three may be larger homes
Remember, even if changes to your house don’t need planning permission, they probably need Building Regulations approval. Always check before you start work!
Lynch Brother Homes
Have any questions regarding a new project and want to know if your project will fall under permitted development, please do not hesitate to contact us we will guide you through permitted development or, if need be, help you apply for planning permission and talk you through building regulations within Oxford.
