Ho
ouse Exte
ensio
ons

Su
upple
emen
ntary Plan
nning Doccument

ne 20
Jun 018
 House Exxtensions SPD June 2018
8
 

Ta
able of
o Co
ontents

1. Inttroduction
n 3-5
2. Ge
eneral Dessign Princiiples 6-9
3. Fro
ont extenssions, porrches and canopies
c 10
4. Re
ear extensions 11-12
5. Sid
de extensiions 13
6. Co
orner plotss 14
7. Do
ormer exte
ensions 15-16
8. De
etached ga d detached garden
arages and 17
bu
uildings
9. es and other bounda
Walls, fence ary Featurres 18
10. Ex
xtra accom
mmodation
n for relatiives 19
11. Re
enewable energy
e 20
12. Ex
xtensions a
affecting heritage
h a
assets 21
13. Ho
ouse exten t Green Belt
nsions in the 23

Appendix
x A: Furtther Sourcces of Info
ormation 24

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1. IIntroducttion
1.1 The aim of this Supplemenntary Planniing Docume ent (SPD) is to provide clear guida
ance to
local residents and
d others on how the Co eal with planning appliications for House
ouncil will de
Extensioons and rela
ated househhold develo
opment.

1.2 The document sets out priinciples and d standards that extenssions should d meet to prevent
harm too neighbourrs and the character
c off the local area. As well as this SPD
D, planning
applicattions will alsso be assessed againstt the Sefton Local Plan in particulaar policy HCC4
“House extensions, Houses in Multiple Occupation and a Flats”.

1.3 Thiss supplemen ntary planniing documeent (SPD) prrovides further detail to
o policies in
n the
Local Pllan. It does not have Development Plan status, but it willl be accordeed weight asa a
materiaal planning consideratio
c on in the de
eterminationn of plannin
ng applications.

dance relatiing to Housses in Multip

1.4 Guid ple Occupattions (HMOO’s) and Flatss is set out in a
separate SPD. https://www.seffton.gov.uk//planning-b building-control/planning-policy-
includin
ng-local-pla
an/adopted--supplemen ntary-planning-docume entsguidance.aspx

When is Plannin
ng Permisssion Requiired?

1.5 Som
me types of developme ent are not subject
s to p
planning perrmission (kn
nown as Perrmitted
Developpment). Forr a list of wh
hat requires a planning application
n please seee the webpa
ages
below.

 ningguidance.planning
http://plann gportal.gov.uk/blog/gu en-is-permission-
uidance/whe
required/
 http://wwww.planningpo
ortal.gov.ukk/permission/
 http://wwww.planningpo
ortal.gov.ukk/uploads/1
100806_PDforhouseholders_TechnnicalGui
dance.pdf

1.6 Som
me types of extensions which are Permitted
P D
Developmen nt require Prrior Approvaal; this
is wheree approval has
h to be so
ought from the local au
uthority in relation
r to certain
c aspe
ects of
the devvelopment before
b workk can procee
ed.

1.7 In addition somme types of Permitted Developme

D nt can be su
ubject to ann Article 2 (3
3)
Directio
on. This is a special plan
nning regulation adoptted by a Local Planning g Authority that
effectively removess Permitted Developme ent rights and means that
t developpment requ uires
planning permissio on. Some permitted
p de
evelopmentt rights can be removed d by a cond dition
attached to a plann ning applicaation. For more
m information please ollowing webpage:
e see the fo
http://w
www.sefton..gov.uk/plan nning-buildding-controll/apply-for--planning-
permisssion/plannin ng-constraints.aspx

1.8 If yo
ou are unsure whether your propo osed extensiion requiress planning permission
p or wish
to receiive confirma ation in writting that yo
our househoold extensio
on is lawful you
y can app ply for a
certifica
ate of lawful development. For mo ment certificates
ore informattion on lawfful developm
please see
s the follo owing webp pages:
 http://www w.planningpo ortal.gov.ukk/permission/next/lawffuldevelopmmentcertifica
ate
 http://plann ningguidance.planning gportal.gov.uk/blog/gu uidance/lawful-developpment-
certificates//

Pre Ap
pplication discussion
ns

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 House Exxtensions SPD June 2018
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1.9 If yo
our extensioon requires planning pe ermission Sefton Council providess a Pre-Application
service where you can obtain advice from m Planning Officers
O on your propo osed applica
ation.
We enccourage these discussio ons as they provide an opportunity to addresss potential
problem ms before you make yo our application. This redduces the chances of your
y plannin
ng
applicattion being refused.
r There is a cha
arge for this service. De
etails on cha
arges and what
w
informa ation is requ
uired are provided on the
t followin ng webpage e:
http://wwww.sefton..gov.uk/plan nning-buildding-controll/apply-for--planning-p permission/p
pre-
applicattion-advice-on-development-prop posals.aspx

1.10 In addition to the above Pre-Applica

ation discusssions with Sefton
S Coun
ncil we
recomm mended you u consult with neighbours before ssubmitting a planning application. This
could id
dentify poteential proble
ems which you
y may be e able to oveercome with
h a slight ch
hange
to your scheme.

Making a Planniing Appliccation

1.11 Infformation on how to ap pply for planning permmission is avvailable at th

he following
g
webpag ges:
 http://www w.sefton.govv.uk/plannin
ng-building--control/apply-for-plan nning-
permission//how-to-ma ake-a-plannning-applica
ation.aspx
 http://plann ningguidance.planning gportal.gov.uk/blog/gu uidance/makking-an-
application/

Planning Enforcement

1.12 If yyou don’t ap

pply for planning perm
mission when w may take enforcement
n required we
action. TThe Council will take action where
e it is practiccal, reasona ecessary to do so in
able, and ne
the wider public interest.

Buildin
ng Regulations

1.13 In addition to Planning Permission, House

H Exten
nsions require Buildingg Regulation
ns
approva al. Further in
nformation on this and
d on how to
o make a Bu uilding Regu
ulations App
plication
able on the following webpage.
is availa w
http://wwww.sefton..gov.uk/plan nning-build
ding-controll/building-ccontrol/mak
king-a-build
ding-
regulatiions-applica ation.aspx

Party Wall
W Act 1996
1

1.14 The Party Wall act 1996 provides

p a non-plannin
n ng framework for preve
enting and
resolvin
ng disputes in relation to
t party walls and deve elopment close to the boundary of
o 2
propertties.* More information
i e on the following web
n is available bpage.
https:///www.gov.uk/party-walll-etc-act-19 996-guidance

*The gra
ant of plannning permisssion does no ot convey an ny rights or approval to o build on, o
or
develop
p, any land that
t is not fu
ully owned or
o controlled d by the appplicant, inclu
uding partyy
boundaaries. Checkss should be made
m on the ownership p of the land
d, (via the la
and registry)
y) and
whetherr there are any
a covenan nts that mayy restrict development.

Conserrvation Arrea/ Listed

d Building Consent

1.15 If yyour properrty is within a conservattion area orr is a listed building, yo

ou are moree likely
to require planning g permission. Please seee the followwing webpa ages for mo ore informattion:

4  
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xtensions SPD June 2018
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 http://wwww.sefton.govv.uk/plannin
ng-building--control/conservation-and-
heritage/lissted-buildin
ngs.aspx
 http://wwww.sefton.govv.uk/plannin
ng-building--control/conservation-and-
heritage/coonservation--areas.aspx
Trees

1.16 Your proposed extension n should proovide adequ uate distancces between n an extensiion and
mature trees and hedges.
h Exte
ensions thatt are likely to
t affect a tree will require a tree survey
s
as part of a plannin
ng applicatiion.

1.17 If yyour propossed extensio

on involves the remova al of a tree or
o will affect a tree you
u may
require Tree Preserrvation Order (TPO) consent as so ome trees arre protected d by a TPO. It is an
offencee to cut dow
wn, lop, uprooot, wilfully damage orr wilfully desstroy a tree covered byy a TPO
withoutt the permisssion of the Local Plann ning Authorrity (except for specifie
ed exemptio ons). For
more in nformation on
o TPO’S pllease see th he following
g webpage:
http://wwww.sefton..gov.uk/plannning-build ding-controll/apply-for--planning-p permission/ttree-
preservvation.aspx##faq1

Dimen
nsions

1.18 Anny dimensions stating that a certain extension n size is acceeptable are based on
extensioons to the original
o houuse and on neighbourin
n ng houses being
b on thee same building
line. Forr example, a 3-metre re ear extensioon may not be acceptable if you have h alreadyy had a
rear exttension or iff your propeerty alreadyy extends much
m furtherr out than neighbourin
n g
propertties. The dim
mensions off this docum ment are intended to be e used as a guide. If
develop pment doess not quite meet
m these standards an a applicatio on may stilll be acceptaable if:
a) No signnificant harm
m to residen ntial amenitty or highwa ay safety wo ould result, or
b) Where there
t wouldd be significcant harm to o residentia
al amenity or
o highway safety,
s
appropriate mitiga ation measu ures have be een put in place
p to reduce the neg gative
impact to an accep ptable level,, or
c) The devvelopment proposed
p would
w be allowed under permitted d developme ent, or
d) The parrticular consstraints of th
he plot/hou use do not allow
a the minimum distances
to be acchieved.

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 House Exxtensions SPD June 2018
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2. G
Gene
eral Desig
D n Priincip
ples
Princip
ples of Dessign

2.1 There are 6 bassic principle

es that succe
essful exten
nsions shoulld adhere to
o (shown beelow). In
additionn to these general
g prin
nciples exten
nsions shouuld also take
e into accou
unt guidancce on
specific types of de
evelopmentts shown in later chapters.

1–
4– Effect on
Coonformity 2- Effect on 3-Effect on 5- Effect on 6-
remaining
witth existing ne
street scen hbours
neigh road saffety Susttainability
plot
P
Property

1st principle – Conformity

y with exissting Prop
perty

2.2 The size and de

esign of thee extension should fit in
n with the existing
e building; the exxtension
should be a small addition
a to the existing
g property rather
r than an excessivvely large orr
disprop
portionate addition. In particular:
Th he angle an
nd shape of roof
shhould match h the existin
ng
property.
A. The ridge of the
exxtension should be low wer than
thhat of the main
m building.
B. Desig gn features
ncluding doors and win
in ndows
an nd roofs shoould match the
exxisting build
ding.
C. The materials
m used in
thhe extensionn should be e the
saame as the existing buiilding or
ass close a maatch as posssible.
E.. On promin nent outside e walls
exxtensions shhould be se et back
frrom the main wall of th he


exxisting build
ding by at leeast
one course ofo bricks.

Figure 1

2nd prrinciple - Effect

E on street
s scen
ne

ensions sho
2.3 Exte ould be in keeping with h the surrouunding area and should
d not detracct from
erall character of the strreet scene. In particular:
the ove

a) Extensions should take e into accou

unt the spaccing betwee
en buildingss and the fro
ont line
of buildingss in the loca
al area.

6  
   House Ex
xtensions SPD June 2018
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b) Extensions should not create a ‘te
erraced’ effeect by giving
g the impre ession that one
o
property is linked to th
he next whe
ere this is ou
ut of characcter with the
e local area..

Figure 2
3rd priinciple - Effect on neighbours
n s

ensions or alterations
2.4 Exte a s
should be designed
d so there is no
o significant reduction in
i living
conditio
ons of the occupiers
o off neighbourring propertties.

Privacy

2.5 Exteensions shoould ensure that neighb bours’ homes and gard dens have a reasonable e level
of priva
acy. In particcular:
a) Windows and balconie es should be e positioned d so that th
hey do not directly
d lookk into
nearby windows of neighbouring homes or ttheir garden ns.
b) On new housing devellopments th here is a standard dista ance of at le
east 21 metrres
between ovverlooking habitable
h ro
oom window ws, (eg living rooms, kitchens and
bedrooms). If an exten nsion does not
n meet th his standard then we wiill assess the e
character of
o the area and
a the pressent levels of o privacy when
w decidinng a planninng
application.
c) If the extennsion does not
n meet the recomme ended distan nces, changges such as putting
the extensio on on anothher part of the
t building g, moving the window or using op paque
or patterneed glass mayy make the developme ent acceptab ble.
d) Side windows that advversely affecct the privaccy of neighb bours should be avoide ed. In
some circum mstances, a condition may be imp posed requiring the sid de windows to be
obscure gla azed and noon–opening g. If the harm
m would be e substantial, we may re equire
you to remove a windo ow.

Oversha
adowing

2.6 Exte
ensions shoould not ove ershadow neighbouring habitable e rooms or private
p garddens to
an unre
easonable degree. In pa articular:
a) We will take account of o the position of neigh hbours’ wind dows and th
he way theyy face in
relation to the extensio on.
b) If an extenssion is likelyy to significa
antly reducee the amount of daylight entering a
habitable rooom or ove ershadow a major part of a neighb bours garden then we may
m
refuse yourr planning application.
a In particula
ar, extension
ns should avvoid creatin
ng a
tunnelling effect
e where e light into a window iss reduced frrom two sid des.

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 House Exxtensions SPD June 2018
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c) There is a standard
s disstance of at least 12 me
etres from blank
b walls of two store
ey (or
more) exten nsions to th
he habitablee rooms of nearby
n hommes. Extensio ons that do not
meet the sttandard disttance will only be perm mitted in excceptional circumstancees.
d) 45 degree guideline
g - extensions that cross the
t 45 degre ee line (+3 metres for single
s
storey extensions) from m the neighhbour’s nearrest habitabble room window may be
acceptable only if theyy do not cau ant harm to residential amenity.
use significa

45 Degreee line for sing

gle
storeyexte
ensions 3 Metre
es

45 Degree line fo
or 2+
Nearest ey extensionss
store
habitable
room windoow

Originall dwelling
   
Extensio
on

Figure 3
utlook
Poor ou

2.7 Exteensions should not havve an overbe earing or op

ppressive efffect on nea
arby propertties. We
will asse
ess the situa
ation in a similar way to how we assess
a oversshadowing.

4th priinciple – Effect

E on re
emaining plot

ensions should be prop

2.8 Exte portionate to the size of
o the plot within
w h the house sits.
which
Too larg
ge an exten
nsion may le
ead to overddevelopmen nt of the plo
ot.

Garden Size

2.9 Exte
ensions should ensure that
t they would not lea ad to an unacceptable reduction in the
size of the
t garden. In particula ar:
a) If the garde en you would have left is too smalll and signifficantly out of characte er with
the size of gardens
g in tthe surroun
nding area then
t we mayy refuse youur planning
application.
b) On new housing devellopments th here is a standard priva ate garden area
a of 50 sq
s
metres for 1 and 2 beddroom housses and 60 sq s metres fo or 3+ bedrooom housess. In
some circum mstances a smaller areea may be acceptable, for f example e if a smaller
garden is consistent with
w the charracter of the e local area.

Parking
g Spaces and
d Driveway

2.10 Exttensions sho

ould ensuree that they do
d not reduuce the num king spaces to an
mber of park
unaccep ptable level. Where a new
n or exten
nded drivew
way is required, permeaable materials
should be used wh here possible to ensure
e the properr drainage of
o surface water.
w

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   House Ex tensions SP D June 2018
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Waste sstorage and
d Water Infra
astructure

2.11 Exttensions sho

ould take innto account waste stora age and water infrastruucture (such
h as
pipes annd manhole e covers). In
n particular they
t shouldd:
a) Ensure thatt there is still sufficient space to store waste and
a recycling bins.
b) Avoid adve ersely affecting the ope er infrastructure.
eration of exxisting wate
http://www
w.unitedutilitties.com/bu uilder-developer-plann ning.aspx

5th priinciple - Effect on ro

oad safety
y

2.12 Exttensions sho ould not haave a negative effect on

n road safetty. In particu
ular:
a) Extensions should not be built wh here they obbstruct the views
v of pedestrians, cyclists
or motoristts.
b) Detached or o integral ggarages should be at leeast 5.5 mettres back froom the pave ement
or service strip
s to ensu
ure that you
ur car does not
n obstrucct the pavem ment when the
t
garage doo or is open.

Figure 4

6th priinciple – Sustainabi

S lity

2.13 Wee encourage e you to takke the oppo

ortunity to in
ncorporate sustainable
e design in your
y
extensio
on. In particcular:

a) Extensions can incorpo orate largerr windows to o the south than to thee north in order to
maximize sunlight ente ering the hoouse and minimize
m heaat loss.
b) Habitable rooms
r can be
b positione ed to the so outh and noon-habitable e rooms to the
t
north to maaximize warrmth in habitable room ms.
c) Garage andd greenhousse extension ns attached d to houses should not be heated.
d) Extensions can presentt an opporttunity to insstall renewable energy such as win nd
turbines an
nd solar pannels, or electtric vehicle charging pooints.
e) Extensions can use reccycled materials to save e resources..
f) A water buttt can be installed to saave money spent on watering
w the garden.

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3. F
Frontt exte
ensio
ons, porch
p hes and
a
cannopie
es
Front e
extensionss, porchess and cano
opies

3.1 Exte
ensions thatt front onto a public ro
oad or footp path must be of a high quality design that
respects the existin
ng propertyy and the strreet. In partticular:

a) Extensions that projectt forward 1..5 metres from the maiin wall will be b acceptab ble in
principle. Exxtensions beyond
b 1.5 metres
m will only
o be permitted provvided that they do
not cause harm
h to:
(i) The exissting building, or
(ii) Neighb bouring prop perties, or
(iii) The cha
aracter of thhe area, or
(iv) Highwa ay safety as a result of a reduction in parking space.
b) Extensions should refle ect the conssistent line of buildingss and the chharacter of the
t
other prope e area, including the de
erties in the esign and depth of anyy front exten nsions
on neighbo ouring prop perties.
c) Extensions should be of o a size commpatible wiith the existting buildingg.
d) Extensions should avoid causing harm h (eg: lo
oss of light outlook)
o to the windowws of
neighbouring propertiies.
e) Extensions should ensure that the ey retain suffficient car parking
p spa
ace.

Figuree 5

10
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4. R
Rear exte
ension
ns
Rear ex
xtensions

4.1 Rear extensionss should no ot dominate

e neighbourring propertties or significantly affe
ect their
sunlightt or privacy. In particular

a) Extensions should resp nlight, privacy and outlook of neig

pect the sun ghbour’s win ndows
and garden ns.
b) If a neighbo
ouring prop perty has be
een extende ed an extension of the same depth h may
be acceptable. We mayy restrict larrger extensions to the same depth h of neighbouring
extensions.
c) We may givve special consideration to your application iff your exten nsion is nee
eded to
provide bassic services such as a bathroom
b he needs of a disabled person.
orr to meet th
d) Rear extenssions must keep
k an accceptable ammount of priivate gardenn space.
e) If your house is terrace
ed or semi-ddetached and your exttension wou uld have an adverse
effect on a neighbouring propertyy, you may wish to con nsider speakking to yourr
neighbourss about a joint extensioon, as in succh circumsta
ances it wouuld be best to
make a joinnt applicatio
on with your neighbour.

Figure 6
Single storey rea
ar extensio
ons

4.2 Sing
gle storey re
ear extensio
ons will be considered
c a follows:
as

a) Single store
ey rear exteensions whicch comply with
w the 45 degree guid deline are
considered acceptable e in principlee (see parag
graph 2.6 abbove).
b) Where the 45 degree guideline
g is not compliied with, exttensions will only be
permitted where
w they do not have e an adverse effect on neighbouring propertiies or
the charactter of the exxisting build
ding.

  11
1
 House Exxtensions SPD June 2018
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Figure 7

Two sttorey (+) rear

r extensions

4.3 Two
o storey (+) rear extensions have a greater po
otential to ca
ause significant harm tto have
a neighbouring prooperties. In particular:

a)) If the pro

operty is terrraced or se
emi-detache ed then deppending upo on the posittion of
the extennsion and neighbouring g windows there may be b instances where anyy size of
extension n would nott be accepta able.
b) If there iss no extensiion to the neighbourin
n ng property a two store ey rear extennsion
should be 2 metres from the bo oundary witth the neighhbouring prroperty.
c)) Two storey extensions projectin ng more tha an 3 metress will only be
e permitted d where
they do not
n have an n adverse efffect on neig
ghbouring properties.
p
d) If a neighhbour has a single storey rear exte ension, a tw
wo storey reaar extensionn may
be accep ptable in principle.
e)) Extension ns close to the
t bounda ary with neig
ghbouring properties
p a particula
are arly
sensitive;; extensionss should nott have a neggative impa
act on the ground
g floorr living
rooms orr kitchens of neighbouring properrties.
f) Extension ng a poor outlook or ovverlooking of neighbouring
ns should avvoid creatin
propertiees.
g) Extension ainst the 45 degree guideline (see Figure 3).
ns will be asssessed aga

12
2  
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5. S
Side exten
nsion
ns
Side ex
xtensions

5.1 Side
e extensionss should resspect the ch
haracter of the
t existing building an
nd the stree
et scene.
In particcular:

a) It is encourraged for sid

de extensions to mainttain access to
t the rear.
b) Side extenssions should d be set bacck from the main front wall by at least one co
ourse of
bricks.

Two sttorey side extension

ns

5.2 Two
o storey side
e extensionss have a greeater potential to have a significan
nt adverse effect
e
on neig
ghbouring properties.
p In particularr:

a) Your extenssion should conform to o the designn of the stre eet and surrrounding hoouses.
b) Your extenssion should not appear to link pro operties if thhis would bee unattractive or
detrimental to the character of the area.
c) Extensions should be set s back at least 1 metrre from the main front wall (at 1stt floor
level) unlesss:
i.. The linee of building
gs is stagge
ered by at leeast 2 metre es, or
ii.. The dire ection your property faaces is significantly diffferent to neighbouring
propertties, or
iii.. The extension wou uld not give the appearrance of linkking properrties or result in a
“terracing effect”.

Two Sttorey Side

extensiion set back 1
a 1st floor le
metre at evel

Origiinal dwelling Exxtension Maintains

acccess to the rear
r of the
Exten
nsion
prroperty

Figure 8

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 House Exxtensions SPD June 2018
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6. C
Corne
er plots
Cornerr plots

6.1 Cornner plot exttensions can

n be particu
ularly prominent due to
o their visibiility from tw
wo
streets. In particula
ar:

a) Your extenssion should be carefully designed so that it doesd not apppear more
dominant in either stre eet scene th
han the exissting properrty.
b) Where the corner plot is open in character
c th
his opennesss should be e retained to
o
protect visibility for mootorists and
d pedestrianns.
c) Your extenssion should be consiste ent with the
e building lines of bothh streets andd the
character ofo the area.
d) Corner plott extensionss should lea ave a side gaarden at lea
ast 3 metress wide fromm the
extension to the publicc footpath unless:
u
(i) Cornerr plots in the e area are characterised
c d by a lesse
er distance, and
(ii) The red duction wouuld not havee a negativee impact onn the visibility of pedestrians,
cyclistss and motorrists.
(iii) The red duction wouuld not harm
m the appearance of th he street sce ene.
e) Two storey extensions that do not meet the above a guidance are co onsidered too cause
a particularrly severe im
mpact on the streetscen ne.

Road

   

Build
ding Line
3 metrre side
gardenn
retaine
ed

 
Original dw
welling

Extension

Figure 9

14
4  
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7. D
Dorm
mer exten
e sionss
Dorme
er extensio
ons

7.1 Dormer extensiions should

d be position
ned to minimise the efffect on the existing pro
operty,
neighboouring prop t character of the loccal area. In particular:
perties and the

a) Where posssible new dormers sho ould be located on the back of pro operties to
minimize immpact on thhe characterr of the street. (unless dormers
d are
e characterisstic of
the area)
b) If dormers are not commmon in the e area you mmust demon nstrate thatt any dormeer would
not have a negative efffect on the property or the street scene.
c) Dormers sh hould not go o above the e existing rid
dge and shoould be pitcched unlesss flat
roofs are ch
haracteristicc of the area
a.
d) Two small dormers
d ma ay be more appropriate e than one large dorme er.

Front d
dormer ex
xtensions

7.2 Fron
nt dormer extensions
e m
must be care
efully designed due to their visibillity from the
e street.
In particcular:

a) The face off the front dormer

d shou uld be at lea
ast 1 metre back from thet main fro ont wall
of the existing propertty (excludingg bay windo ows).
b) The sides of
o the front dormer
d shoould be at leeast 0.5 mettres from thhe side of jo
oint
(party) walls unless the
ere are alreaady a numb ber of large dormers in the area:
c) Dormers sh hould not ap ppear top heavy
h or ove
er dominantt.
d) Dormers sh hould not caause harm to t the streett scene.
e) Dormers th hat wrap aroound the sid de ridge of a hipped ro oof should be
b avoided.
f) Dormers sh hould generrally not takke up more than one th hird of the roof
r area onn the
front of the
e building.
g) Dormer win ndows shou uld be verticcally aligned
d with the existing
e wind
dows if praccticable.

 Dorme er set back 1

metre from main front
nd aligned with
wall an
ground floor windo
w
ows

Figure 10

  15
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 House Exxtensions SPD June 2018
8
 

Figure 11
Side do
ormer exttensions

7.3 Dormer exttensions sho

ould be possitioned to avoid
a overlo
ooking and loss of privvacy for
neighbo
ours.

Figure 12

16
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8. D
Detacched
d gara
ages and deta
ached
d
garrden build
dingss
Detach
hed garages and dettached ga
arden build
dings

8.1 Deta ached garagges and oth her detached garden buildings sho
ould be dessigned to minimise
their efffects on the
e street scen
ne, neighbo
ouring prope
erties and road safety.

Detach
hed garages

8.2 Deta
ached garag
ges should respect the o the existing building
e character of g and the street
sceene. In partiicular:
Deesign and materials
m ould reflect the
sho
styyle and charracter of the e original dw
welling.
a) The garagge should be e
poositioned so that it does not detracct from
thee attractivenness of the street scene e.
b) The garagge should no ormally
be behind the e front wall of the buildding
unless the site e is well scre
eened by trees or a
ont wall.
fro
c) The garagge should no ot
appear too hig gh, bulky or disproporttionate


in relation to your
y and ne eighbouring g
prooperties.
d) The garagge should allow
suffficient room
m for parkin ng both within and
be
etween the garage
g and the pavement.

Otther detacched garde

en buildings

8.3
3 Other detached garden
g build
dings
shoould comply with the following:
f
a) Garden bu uildings sho
ould not
bee built in front of an esttablished buuilding
line on cornerr propertiess.
b) Decking should not result
r in
losss of privacyy for neighb
bours.
c) Detached garden buiildings
shoould not be e appear too o large or o
out of
prooportion.

Figure 13

  17
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 House Exxtensions SPD June 2018
8
 

9. W
Wallss, fen
nces and
a o
other bou
unda
ary
fea
aturess
Walls, fences and other bo
oundary features
f

9.1 New
w walls and fences shou
uld respect the charactter and desiign of the surrounding area
and neighbouring properties. In particula
ar:

Line a) A wall
w or fence e should
not detractt from the


of
sight
appearance e of an area a and
should be consistent
c w the
with
design of other
o bound daries in
the area.
b) A wall
w or boundary is
unlikely to be acceptable on
open plan estates or cul- c de-
sacs if it is out of chara acter
with the area.
c) A wall
w or fence e should
be designe ed to allow
appropriate e visibility fo
or
pedestrianss and motorists,
particularlyy on busy ro oads.

Figure 14

d) You may wish to incorporate design featuress into walls or fences to o improve security
particularlyy if they adjo
oin the road
d or public areas.
a Exammples include e designs with
w a
flat outer suurface or planting thorrny shrubs.
e) Walls or fen nces on corner plots arre particularrly sensitive
e due to the eir prominen nt
location. Thhey also havve the poten ntial to have
e a greater impact on highway
h saffety.
Where corn ner plots in the area aree characteriised by an open
o aspectt, a high wa all or
fence (abovve 1 metre) is considered to be ina appropriate e, unless it iss set back
significantlyy from the highway.
h

Materiials

9.2 Wheen designing walls, fences and oth d consider the

her boundary features, you should
followin
ng:

nitial cost an
a) Both the in nd future maintenance
m cost. For exxample a brrick wall will cost
more initia
ally than a wooden
w fencce but will have
h lower maintenanc
m ce costs.
b) Timber pannel fences are
a appropriate in backk gardens ho owever theyy are less su uited to
prominent boundariess as they require regula ar maintena ance and are prone to
damage. Vertical
V timbber- board fences
f on toop of a brickk wall (or all brick wallss in
prominent locations) area preferabble.
c) Concrete post
p and panel fences are
a discoura aged due to o their nega ative effect on
o the
appearance of the loccal area.

18
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   House Ex tensions SP D June 2018
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10.. Extrra acccomm

moda
ation
n for
rela
ative
es
Extra a
accommod
dation forr relatives

10.1 Pro
oposals for extra accom
mmodation for residents should co
onsider the following:

a) The extra accommodation should

d be linked to
t the existiing propertyy rather tha
an
forming a separate
s building.
b) Where the extra accom
mmodation cannot be linked to th
he existing property
p and
d you
propose a separate
s bu
uilding, step
ps must be taken
t to pre
event the bu
uilding beco
oming a
self-contain nsure it can be used ovver the long term as part of
ned propertty and to en
the main prroperty (e.g
g. as a garag
ge, play room etc.)
c) The extra accommodation should
d not have a harmful efffect on anyy neighbours
privacy or living condittions.
d) The extra accommodation should
d ensure accceptable outlook, privacy and livin
ng
conditions for the occu
upiers of the property.
e) If a decision
n is made to nning permission we may
o grant plan m attach a condition
requiring th ension should not be used as a sep
hat the exte parate acco
ommodation
n.

  19
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 House Exxtensions SPD June 2018
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11.. Ren
newab
ble energ
e gy
Renew
wable enerrgy

11.1 Ma
any domesttic renewablle energy projects do not
n require planning pe
ermission and can
be carriied out under permitte
ed developm
ment rights.

11.2 Wh
here a prop es planning permission
posal require n, proposalss for small scale renewa
able
energy generation will be sup
pported in principle
p ovided that the installattion would not:
pro

a) Significantly exceed th
he height off the roof off the house,, or
b) Be over dom
minant or be
b significan
ntly disprop
portionate to
o the size of the house
e, or
c) Cause signiificant harm
m to the character of the existing property,
p ne
eighbouring
g
o the local area.
properties or

Electricc vehicle Charging

C P
Points

any domesttic electric charging points (below a certain size) do not require
11.3 Ma r plan
nning
permisssion and can d out under permitted development rights.
n be carried

11.4 Wh
here a prop es planning permission
posal require n, proposalss for chargin
ng points will be
supportted in principle provide
ed that the installation would not:

a) Be out of character forr the dwellin

ng, or
b) Harm the living condittions of neig
ghbours, or
c) Harm the street scene,, or
d) Adversely affect
a highw
way safety.

20
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12.. Exte
ensio
ons afffectting herita
h age
asssets
Extenssions in co
onservation areas

12.1 Co
onservation areas are m
more sensitivve to chang
ges than a tyypical reside
ential area. Some
extensio
ons which may
m be acce eptable in a normal ressidential are
ea may not be
b acceptab ble in a
conservvation area or may requ
uire design changes in order to make them acceptable.

12.2 Exttensions in conservatio on areas sho ould preservve or enhan nce the charracter or
appeara ance of the area. In parrticular:
a) The conten nt of Conserrvation Area a Appraisalss (where ava ailable) will be taken into
account. (seee link belo
ow)
b) Where a bu uilding or itss setting is degraded, opportunitie
o es to make improveme ents to
it should bee taken.
c) We will care efully assess the architectural appearance, ch haracter and d history of the
building afffected, and buildings in n the area inncluding their featuress, layout, spaaces
between th hem and neiighbouring buildings and a their settting.
d) Extensions or new feattures must use u appropriate archite ectural deta ailing, landsccaping
and materia als that suitt the age annd style of thhe building (e.g. timbeer windows instead
of PVC.)
e) Additions or o changes to t existing boundary
b trreatments should
s take into accoun nt
historic bou
undaries and the streett scene.

Extenssions affeccting listed

d building
gs

12.3 Exttensions or alterations to a listed building

b will usually req
quire listed building co
onsent.
In particcular:
a) It is likely th
hat a qualifiied professional will be
e needed to o make yourr application n.
b) It is recomm mended tha at pre appliccation advicce is soughtt prior to maaking an
application. Please con ntact http:///www.sefto on.gov.uk/pllanning-buiilding-
control/app ply-for-plannning-permission/pre-a application--advice-on-developme ent-
proposals.a aspx
c) We will care efully examine your pla anning application to ensure
e the special
s
architecturaal or historic interest off your property is preseerved.

12.4 Exttensions or alterations should also

o avoid adve
ersely affectting the settting of liste
ed
building
gs or other heritage assets.

Furthe
er Informa
ation

12.5 Moore information on connservation and

a heritage e is available
e online at the
t followin
ng
addresss: http://ww
ww.sefton.go
ov.uk/planning-building
g-control/conservation n-and-
heritage
e.aspx

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 House Exxtensions SPD June 2018
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13.. Hou
use ex
xtensionss in the
t Green
G n
Bellt
House extension
ns in the green
g belt

13.1 As the aim of Green Belt policy is “to

o prevent urrban sprawl by keeping land
perman nently open; the essentia
al characterristics of Greeen Belts aree their open
nness and thheir
perman nence” Natio
onal Plannin ng Policy Fra
amework (N NPPF) Para 79. Extensio ons will onlyy be
permitted where thhey are relatively small scale and p proportionaate to the orriginal build
ding. In
particular:

a) We will take into accou unt the deggree to whicch your prop perty has already been n
extended, and
a the effe ect of any fu
urther exten nsion. For exxample, if th
he volume o of your
original houuse has bee en extended d by 1/3 or more, then extensions beyond this will
generally be inappropriate. Any proposals
p de om this standard need to
eparting fro t be
clearly justified. Inapprropriate devvelopment in i the Green n Belt will only
o be apprroved in
very special circumstan nces.
b) Even if the extension iss within 1/33 of the voluume of the original
o dwe elling the siize,
form and materials
m will need to be in keeping g with the original
o building and itss
setting.
c) Extensions should be proportiona
p ate to the size of the orriginal housse and be
compatible e with its chaaracter.
d) The dwellinng’s locationn in the green belt mea ans that extensions ma ay be more
sensitive th
han in a typiical residenttial area. Exttensions wh
hich may be e acceptable e in a
normal resiidential area a may not be
b acceptab ble in the green belt.
e) The purposse of the exttension will be conside ered, for exa
ample if you ur proposal is to
bring an un nimproved small
s home up to mod dern standarrds, this may justify an
extension.

Other considerations

13.2 Pro
oposals for extensions in the green belt should also conssider the following:
a) Extensions creating a separate
s un
nit of accom w be treatted the same way
mmodation will
as applicatiions for new
w dwelling in the Green w only be permitted in very
n Belt and will
special circumstances.
b) Extensions beyond pro operty boun ndaries will only be perrmitted in very special
circumstancces.
c) Extensions of a garden n onto agriccultural land
d will only be
b permitted d in very spe
ecial
circumstancces.
d) Wood is co onsidered ann appropriate material for outbuild dings in the
e Green Beltt.

Reside
ential Use rights

13.3 If a house hass not been lived in receently residenntial use rights may not exist. If these
do not exist any applica
rights d ation to resttore the pro
operty will be
b treated as
a inapproprriate
develop pment and isi likely to be
b refused. The
T applica ation will the
erefore be treated
t in thhe same
way as applications for a new dwelling in the Green Belt and will only be permitted in very
special circumstancces. (See NP PPF paras 87-90)

22
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   House Ex tensions SP D June 2018
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Calcula
ating volu
ume of exttensions in
n the gree
en belt

13.4 Extensions more than one third of the original house in the Green Belt B will nott be
usually be permitte ed. You musst send us plans
p and yo our calculattions of the increase in volume
as part of your app plication. Fo
or the purpo
ose of this calculation, the
t original home is
consideered to be the building as it existed when it was
w first lived d in or on 1 July 1948,
whichevver is later.

13.5 Wh hen workingg out the vo

olume
of an original house measureme
m ents
should include:

The roof space

s e home and any
of the
outbuildinngs considered part of the
original ho
ome as firstt occupied o
or at 1
July 1948, whichever is later.

13.6 Yo our measure

ements shou
uld not
include:

a) Extensions or outbuildings within

w 5
metres of the main home and bu uilt after
the home was first occcupied or after
a 1
July 1948, whichever is the later;
b) Outbu uildings or structures
s that are
more thann 5m away from
f the hoome; or
are made of tempora ary material
c) Basem ments and any
a other pa arts of
the home which are below
b ground
level;
d) The volume
v of ann area enclo
osed by
walls in th
he grounds of the home, but
which doe es not have a roof, no matter
m
how near to the hom me the area is.
i

  23
2
 House Exxtensions SPD June 2018
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Appenddix A:
A Furrther Sourrces of
o
Info
orma
ation
n
Legisla
ation

The Towwn and Couuntry Planning (General Permitted Developme ent) (Englan
nd) Order 20
015
http://w
www.legislattion.gov.uk//uksi/2015//596/conten
nts/made

Nation
nal Policy//Guidance
e

Nationaal Planning Policy Fram

mework and Planning Practice Guid
dance.
http://p
planningguidance.plann ningportal.g
gov.uk/

Plain En
nglish Guide
e to the Plan
nning Syste
em
ent/publications/plain--english-guide-to-the--planning-syystem
https:///www.gov.uk/governme

Planning Portal
http://w
www.plannin
ngportal.go
ov.uk

Departmment for Co
ommunities and Local Governmen
G t: Permitted
d developm
ment for
householders Techhnical Guida
ance
http://w
www.plannin
ngportal.goov.uk/upload
ds/100806__PDforhouse eholders_Te
echnicalGuid
dance.p
df

Contacct details

Planning Departme
ent Email pllanning.dep
partment@ssefton.gov.u
uk

Pre App
plication Service http:///www.sefton
n.gov.uk/pla
anning-buillding-contro
ol/apply-for-
planning-permissioon/pre-application-advvice-on-devvelopment-p proposals.aspx

24
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  House Ex tensions SP D June 2018
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Local Plan Team m
Sefto
on Council
Magd dalen Hou use
Trinitty Road
Bootlle L20 3NJJ
Webssite: www..sefton.goov.uk/localplan
Emaill: Local.Pla
an@sefton
n.gov.uk
 
 

  25