Planning permission query

last year

Hi All,
We've just had some feedback from the planning department about our rear extension and are having trouble understanding their reasons behind the 2.5m height limit to the single storey extension on the boundary wall.
This is their exact wording -
'2.5m height on the boundary with number 33, or set off the boundary to allow for more height'
The house is a 1930s semi detached and situated on a slope with the adjoining house being on the higher side (but both of us have the same internal floor level, we just have suspended floors). We have a few steps to go down into our garden due to the slope (neighbours have less of a drop). I don't understand why they want to limit the height of our single storey extension to 2.5m only on the boundary wall especially given they are on higher ground anyway? Our architect has suggested a chamfered roof on that side to try and accommodate this however it just means we are left with an awkward slope to the ceiling internally.
Anyone been in a similar position or has any advice?
Thanks

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Comments (3)

PRO
CARL Architect
last year
Hi,

It depends on whether the works fall under Permitted Development (PD). If they do then you can in theory have a max height of 4m to a parapet and 3m to the eaves (flat roof level essentially). See page 17 and then page 12 on the linked doc below). These dimensions are from the natural ground level, not the finished floor level. Note, there maybe be Rights to Light issues with a 3/4m high wall on the boundary that sits outside of planning. However, if you have submitted a Householder planning application the PD rules do not apply and the LPA can stipulate what they feel is appropriate in terms of impact on neighbours and other issues such as design. This is perhaps where the 2.5m height restriction has come from. It is not terribly unusual. You should be able to get 2m internal headroom. We often back the full-height kitchen cabinets up against these walls to hide the lower appearance along this edge. Then by the time the roof slope travels over the 600mm kitchen unit depth the height of the ceiling is around 2260mm which does not look too low.https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/830643/190910_Tech_Guide_for_publishing.pdf

Please let me know if I can be of further help,

Carl
Sana Ghauri
Original Author
last year
Hi Carl,

Thank you for your reply. That's really helped our understanding and the solution with the kitchen cabinets means the overall look may not be as bad as we originally thought!

Your comments are very much appreciated, Thank you!

Sana
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PRO
CARL Architect
last year
Hi Sana,

I'm glad that I could be of help. Please don't hesitate to reach out with anymore questions.

Carl

Planning permission query

Comments (3)

CARL Architect

Sana Ghauri
Original Author

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Planning permission query

Comments (3)

CARL Architect

Sana GhauriOriginal Author

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Sana Ghauri
Original Author