In the UK, when you plan to renovate the exterior or extend your property, you have to apply to the council and the housing development board in order to ask for permission. This is known as “planning permission,” and it’s a multi-step, sometimes laborious process.
To start with, you have to justify your reasoning for the extension, and also be aware of any restrictions in place. For example, if you live in an area of outstanding beauty (which is the exact classification), it’s going to be difficult to add to the housing stock in the area, even if you only plan on a small additional wing to the household.
Then you have to consider any neighborly disputes, because there’s a long notice period you have to give before work begins. Of course, you also have to pay for and plan the whole thing too, just in case that escaped you in the whirlwind of trying to sort everything else out.
Of course, there are measures you can use to help this along, such as using professional architects so the plans you submit are watertight. But what if your initial application is rejected? You may wish to use the following cosiderstions:
Reduce Your Plans
Even if your original big, ambitious plan got a thumbs down, the simplest thing to do is take a good, hard look at the plans and see where you can scale things back. You won’t have to completely scrap your vision, but you could try reducing the overall footprint, maybe knocking a floor off, or moving the proposed extension further from the boundary line.
Often, rejections are focused on a very specific point of contention, like being “too dominant” or blocking too much sunlight for the neighbours. If you curate such big details like that and refit your plan, it can help with how the council views your second attempt. Sometimes it might have to change quite dramatically, like only building one floor and not two. It’s helpful to see if the rejection letter specifically mentioned height or size, and then design your new plan to sit beneath those invisible limits.
Make Environmental Investments
If you can, it helps to show your build isn’t just for making your life better; but that you’re also retrofitting the space to be better for the environment. Planning boards are quite keen on sustainability because it helps them hit their own targets too, so this is where you can get clever, as maybe you could commit to using recycled or locally sourced materials for the exterior, or promise to increase the green space around your property.
Another effective move is to make an investment that reduces your home’s carbon footprint. For example, hiring experienced solar installers to fit panels on the existing roof, or installing a heat pump as part of the new build, can both help your case.
Commit To A Joint Development With Your Neighbor
This one is a little bit out there, but sometimes the best way to get approval is to remove the source of the objection entirely. Too often, the planning rejection comes down to neighborly disputes or concerns about loss of amenity or privacy. If you can work with the most vocal neighbour, you can potentially discuss if mutual extension, like building a wing together on the same side of the property line, could help.
With this advice, you’ll be certain to appeal against a turned down planning application with care.
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