In Essex do you need planning permission for an extension on a detached property

With most extensions it is always best to get planning permission from your local council as when you come to sell it you need the paper trail Also please involve building control at every stage this way you know the work has been carried out correctly

while you may under permitted development not require full planning approval, you most certainly will require building control to inspect at different stages to final sign of, speak to your local council planning department to see if full planning is required as if it is this can take 3 months for approval. even if full planning is not required you will still need to submit a building regulations approval form so you also need to speak to your local building inspectors. good luck Alex

With a detached property you can undertake some extensions under permitted development rules, as long as certain criteria is met, including: You can only cover half the area of land that is around the original house with an extension or any other type of build. This can also include a shed or outbuilding. The extension cannot be forward of the side elevation or side elevation fronting a highway. The materials used must match those of the current property. For a single-storey rear extension, you cannot go beyond the rear elevation wall of the original property by more than four metres. The extension roof cannot exceed four metres in height. Despite not requiring submission of a full householder planning permission it still might be worth submitting an application to the local authority for a proposed lawfulness certificate, whereby the local authority confirm that your proposals fall within permitted development. There is also another set of rules called the neighbourhood consultation scheme. Under this set of rules, which are also known as the Larger Home Extension Scheme, an application for prior approval can be submitted for a larger single storey rear extension. Under typical permitted development the extension limits for a rear elevation single storey extension (for a detached property) is 4m from the original rear elevation wall, but with this legislation the limit is extended to eight metres, however, you are required to give notice to the council, giving your neighbours opportunity to raise their concerns and objections which can sometimes result in refusal (in which case, your plans would need to revert back to the smaller constraints under permitted development). You would of course still require to comply with building regulations.

You can do a certain amount of extension work under the 'Permitted Development' regulations - which set out certain parameters which you need to keep within. Generally - for a detached house - you can extend from the back wall by up to four metres. However - there are many other factors to be aware of - such as proximity to boundaries, roof heights, overall percentage of site covered. Therefore I would urge you to employ a designer or architect who can ascertain whether or not you can achieve what you need under 'Permitted Development' rules. If you do need Planning Permission a professional person with suitable experience will also be able to gauge whether you are likely to have any problems getting permission.