[muffler]

Originally Posted by plasto

What is the maximum sized extension to build without planning authority?

Does it matter if the building is in a rural or urban area?

Thanks.

The regulations apply equally to both urban & rural houses. The urban houses might be a bit more complex as you have to retain 25 sq. metres of open space and like most urban developments the house will most likely be a semi or terraced which reduces the exempted size you can build on the first floor and restricts the distances between walls/windows and neighbouring boundaries.

[Eurorunner]

I have just ordered the OS planning pack - slowly moving towards putting in an application for a granny flat. I have been looking through previous planning decisions for similar and have a few questions that people here might be able to help me with prior to putting in the application or approaching them at a pre planning meeting.

i). I intend submitting a covering letter with the application demonstrating the need (required by family member due to illness). Will they need medical confirmation of this or is my letter likely to be sufficient?

ii). It will be approx. 36m2 floor area - consisting of 1 bedroom/wc&shower/lounge & kitchenette. I will need to connect up to the waste pipe that leads to the mains. Are they likely to be satisified with this (the house is a small 4 bed semi built in '05) and will they request that a contribution be made because of this??

iii). The finish will be 100mm siberian spruce plank whereas the house is rendered finish. Whats the likelihood of them objecting to this?

iv). I'd like to build right up against the boundary (which adjoins open green space) - can I do this? Other than marking out the position of the structure on the OS map, do I need to confirm in writing that I wish to build right up against the boundary?

[muffler]

Originally Posted by Eurorunner

I have just ordered the OS planning pack - slowly moving towards putting in an application for a granny flat. I have been looking through previous planning decisions for similar and have a few questions that people here might be able to help me with prior to putting in the application or approaching them at a pre planning meeting.

i). I intend submitting a covering letter with the application demonstrating the need (required by family member due to illness). Will they need medical confirmation of this or is my letter likely to be sufficient?

ii). It will be approx. 36m2 floor area - consisting of 1 bedroom/wc&shower/lounge & kitchenette. I will need to connect up to the waste pipe that leads to the mains. Are they likely to be satisified with this (the house is a small 4 bed semi built in '05) and will they request that a contribution be made because of this??

iii). The finish will be 100mm siberian spruce plank whereas the house is rendered finish. Whats the likelihood of them objecting to this?

iv). I'd like to build right up against the boundary (which adjoins open green space) - can I do this? Other than marking out the position of the structure on the OS map, do I need to confirm in writing that I wish to build right up against the boundary?

1. You should submit a letter from the GP or nurse or OT outlining the medical condition and the specific need the person.

2. This varies in relation to connection to services. You may get away with a shared connection but it wont be something that you cant overcome. You will most likely have to pay development contributions as it is a self contained unit. If it was shown as an extension of the original house then the devp. fees are not applicable.

3. You will most likely be asked to have the finishes integrated with the existing house finishes.

4. You will need to keep 1 metre away from the boundary as you will need a bit of elbow room for maintenance. Different planning authorities have different regs in relation to this and the amount of open space/gardens etc to the rear of houses.

Will you be able to get a disabled persons grant in respect of the works?

[plasto]

Thank you for your replies.

They were very helpful......do people from the planning office take bribes or court settlements??

[muffler]

Originally Posted by plasto

do people from the planning office take bribes or court settlements??

I have never seen bribes down on the job description or an a C.V. so the answer would be no.

I dont understand the comment about court settlements - care to elaborate?

[baguio]

A point related to whats discussed above re. development contribution. If a person had converted a garage to a study - then later applied for 'change of use' to a self contained granny flat, would the local council be less likely to seek a development contribution (assuming that the study included a toilet linked into the existing sewerage?

[muffler]

I think they would be more likely to hit you for development contributions. Not sure what the position is in relation to granny flats as any domestic extensions are exempt from the charges.

Can you not just convert it and leave it at that?

Or alternatively you could argue that there is still the same number of people resident in the overall building so there's no extra loading on the services.

[edengarden]

We got our planning after two long years of trying.

[cue]

Just got refused on planning application due to local needs in a rural area. Two reasons - Not enough supporting documentation. The architect felt that we did not need to submit supporting documentation unless we were asked for it so he just submitted the local needs form on its own. The other reason is they reckon I may own a house, which I do not, although I am resident a mile away from the site. Fairly depressed as I was following advise from those supposedly in the know. Any suggestions?

[muffler]

Originally Posted by cue

Just got refused on planning application due to local needs in a rural area. Two reasons - Not enough supporting documentation. The architect felt that we did not need to submit supporting documentation unless we were asked for it so he just submitted the local needs form on its own. The other reason is they reckon I may own a house, which I do not, although I am resident a mile away from the site. Fairly depressed as I was following advise from those supposedly in the know. Any suggestions?

Maybe you need a new architect. How could he be so silly as to submit a form without backing up the content of it. Would you apply for a passport without a photo?

Best advice I can give you is to take a more pro active role with the application (or the next application). You should look for a pre-planning meeting with the planner and discuss the matter to see what you need to submit with your application. They are legally obliged to give you an appointment but in saying that its low down on their priority list. Write a letter requesting the meeting and take it to your local councillor and let him take it from there. Perhaps he could attend with you also.

[muffler]

Originally Posted by edengarden

We got our planning after two long years of trying.

Good news indeed. I suppose when you see that word "Grant" it compensates a wee bit for the time delay.

[carefree]

we have gated access from the main road between us and a neighbour my wife's family may try and build behind us in the future so we need to leave an access road -currently 14 ft. anyone know what the planners require and whether it needs to be splayed?

[col16]

Hi !! We are a bit green in the planning regulations area so bear with me. We are intending to apply for planning for a 1600sqft bungalow (ground floor) and we would like to fit a stairs, velux windows and use the converted attic space (1000sqft approx).
My question is do i need to submit details about converting the attic in the original plans to the council as i have heard that you do not need Planning permission for Velux windows on rear side of roof.Also i have read that there are different regulations regarding the use of attic space for habitual purposes.(Fire Regs) so just wondering what is the best road to go down and what exactly is needed . (North Cork area)
Any help greatly appreciated.

[Aeneas]

A developer is planning to build apartments next door to my dormer bungalow in village of about 1000 houses. The building will be a three-storey structure. There will be a balcony directly opposite the main window of my bedroom at a distance of 22m from the gable. I know that 22m is often regarded as a suitable distance to avoid overlooking when windows are directly oppposite. However in this case the balcony is three metres higher than the window and I fear that it will afford a vantage point into the bedroom for someone on the balcony. Are you aware of any rules or precedents in planning law/practice that might cover this case.

[muffler]

Originally Posted by carefree

we have gated access from the main road between us and a neighbour my wife's family may try and build behind us in the future so we need to leave an access road -currently 14 ft. anyone know what the planners require and whether it needs to be splayed?

If they deem the need for a full service road then you are looking at 5.00m wide. Depending on the extent of existing and potential future development the least that will be require will probably be pull-in bays at 70 - 90 metre intervals.

You could well be asked to splay the entrance but more importantly ensure you can achieve and maintain adequate vision lines.

Some of these issues will vary from County to County and from engineer to engineer. As with a lot of these queries a quick call to the planning office and/or the local roads engineer should get you sorted as indeed will your architect.