© 2010 Quinton Stuart Ltd mail@quintonstuart.co.uk
Created by Derek Stuart
Planning Permission?
Do I need planning permission is a question often asked. In general planning permission will be required unless it falls within the guidelines of Permitted Development. Further advice on this subject can found on the above link and by contacting ourselves.
For an extension if if your proposal can meet all 5 of the following criteria it will be permitted without need of a planning permission:
1 The floor area (measured externally) of both the proposed extension and any existing
extensions to the original property and any detached garage or outhouse within 5
metres of the dwelling, taken together will be less than:
a) For a terraced house
(including end terrace): 16 square metres or 10% of the floor area of the original
house, whichever is the greater (subject to a maximum of 30 square metres).
b) For
any other house, 24 square metres or 20% of the floor area of the original house,
whichever is the greater (subject to a maximum of 30 square metres).
2 The height of the proposed extension is no greater than the highest part of the roof of the original house, and does not alter the existing roof slope of the dwelling.
3 The maximum height of the extension does not exceed 4 metres where it is within 2 metres of any part of the site boundary.
4 No more than 30% of the total garden area is covered by extensions and/or buildings, excluding the original house.
5 No part of the extension would be closer to a road, which is adjacent to its boundary (front, side or rear), unless the road would be over 20 metres from all parts of the extension.
NB: A road is defined as any public way (including paths) serving 3 or more properties.
Building Warrant?
What is a Building Warrant and do I require one?
The Building Warrant is permission that is granted to build a property that follows certain guidelines and standards that have developed over time and continue to do so, in order to provide a certain quality and help to safeguard human life.
They have evolved over time and can be traced back to 1189 AD within London. In
Scotland the regulations began to develop and fell within the remit of The Dean of
Guild Court. The enforcement of the regulations was ratified in 1698 by an Act of
the Scottish Parliament. Various by-
The Building (Scotland) Act 2003 gives Ministers the power to make building regulations to:
- secure the health, safety, welfare and convenience of persons in or about buildings and of others who may be affected by buildings or matters connected with buildings;
- further the conservation of fuel and power;
- and further the achievement of sustainable development.
Permission therefore needs to be granted for most developments and alterations, however there are certain exemptions that do not require permission. These can be found here.
How long will it take to obtain the relevant permissions?
There are now guidelines for planning to grant or reject the application within 8wks from acceptance of the application.
A warrant will potentially take longer due to the complexity and size of the project. An Engineer will also more than likely require to be employed to certify the structure.
What also has to be remembered is that there will be a period of time to develop the design of the project prior to these applications being made.
