We recently received planning approval for an extension to an existing garage building in the rear of garden of a semi-detached house, which is located on a corner plot.
The applicant in seeking quotes from various builders, was told that they wouldn’t need planning permission, as it was a garage extension. As such, they proceeded to build the garage extension.
However, the builder’s advice was incorrect, as the height exceeded 2.5m and was within 2m of the boundary.
The Council received a complaint and therefore requested a planning application to formalise the extension. However, the application was refused, as the Council considered the extension would be out of keeping with the character of the area, due to its close position to the boundary and visibility along the road. A further two applications for a Certificate of lawfulness were submitted with an amendment to the roof height, in an attempt to meet the relevant criteria of permitted development rights.
The first application was withdrawn and the second application was refused, as a different roof had already been built to the one proposed. At this point the Council issued an Enforcement Notice with which came the potential threat of being forced to demolish the extension .
The applicant therefore got in touch with WPS Planning, following frustration with their architects. We provided advice for the Enforcement process and provided a strategy to formalise the extension. We discussed this also with the Council and it was agreed that an amendment to the roof, which reduced its bulk and provided an appropriate design, would in principle appear acceptable.
As such, we submitted the revised planning application and SUCCESS. Planning Permission was approved.
This led to a very happy client and demonstrates that seeking the correct advise prior to any development will save time and money in the long run