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You’ll still need a building warrant and the services of a structural engineer, and an architect of course. But cutting out the planning permission phase of a project can be a massive relief as well as a boost for project timescales.
We have been involved in several permitted development projects of varying scales to extend houses, install velux roof-lights and convert loft space. All without requiring planning permission.
In one project the tight timescale to extend and adapt a house for the arrival of a disabled relative meant that the extension was intentionally designed to stick within the limits of what was classed as ‘permitted development’. This allowed the project to essentially ‘skip’ the planning permission stage which can often take between 8-12 weeks.
Permitted development rights allow for modestly sized extensions & alterations, but this doesn’t mean that the design needs to be modest. This is where MGA Architecture can assist in designing and creating a space to meet your needs and aspirations.
Extending your house or converting your loft without planning permission could potentially cause legal issues or disputes with neighbours. In order to confirm that the changes your planning are within the limits of permitted development a ‘Certificate if Lawful Development’ can be obtained from the local council. Our experience is that this process is dealt with really efficiently, with responses received the same day as submission of the form. This can then be used to put at ease any legal worries or issues with neighbours.
Recent ‘Permitted Development’ laws in England allow, amongst other things, the conversion of offices into housing without planning permission. This has made the news as developers are creating ‘future slums’ with substandard housing. But in Scotland permitted development rights have been created in order to ease the burden of smaller applications on the planning authorities, and in our experience this has been successful.
If you’re thinking of extending or adapting your home, please get in touch to see how we can help.
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