Navigate the planning department: property owners planning alterations or extensions will need to negotiate with the bureaucrats working at Fisher’s Folly
ZAEEM CHAUDHARY, pictured left, offers some expert advice for any Croydon homeowners planning to undertake building works
When you are looking to make a home renovation project, one of the first things you need to check is whether you need to get planning permission. A lot of renovations don’t require planning permission from the local authority, as they are within your permitted rights.
However, a lot of homeowners do not know the full process of obtaining planning permission and what they are required to do when dealing with the council’s planning team. So here’s a few suggestions to help navigate the planning process in Croydon without getting it wrong.
Common mistakes Croydon homeowners make
The first thing that Croydon homeowners often don’t do is to get professional drawings crafted, such as loft conversion drawings, when they are looking to start a project.
This not only brings your plans to life, but also helps you to see potential problems that you may face. With professional drawings, you can discuss with a contractor whether or not the plans will require planning permission. You can then submit these drawings with your request for planning, which will save you time and money.
Another common mistake that homeowners make when it comes to planning is forgetting to check if there are any other legal considerations. For instance, you may need to look at whether you will need permission from the neighbours if the work is under the Party Wall Act. This law requires terraced and semi-detached properties to obtain permission if there is a shared wall with your neighbour that will be affected if you carry out the work.
Even if you have planning permission in place, a lot of extensions and loft conversions that include shared walls require you to comply with the Party Wall Act. Obtaining an agreement with the neighbour is important to avoid delays and costs down the line.
What permitted development allows
You need to ensure you check your permitted rights before you seek planning permission. A lot of people make the error of thinking they don’t have permitted development rights, or don’t have a full understanding of what their permitted development allows.
Extensions: Homeowners in Croydon are allowed to make a single-storey extension within their permitted rights. In the UK, you are allowed to make a rear extension of up to three metres on a terraced or semi-detached home, and up to four metres on a detached property. You can also add a side extension. The height of the extension has to be no more than four metres.
Loft conversion: You are allowed to do a loft conversion in your home without planning permission if you are within the required volume amounts. For instance, you must not increase the loft by more than 40 cubic metres for terraced properties and 50 for semi- and detached homes.
Outbuildings: You are allowed to build outbuildings as long as the primary use is not for living accommodation or bedroom space. They should only be one storey and should not be any taller than 2.5 metres.
When you need full planning permission
If you are going to require a larger extension than permitted, then you will require full planning permission. In addition to the rules above, you need to be aware that conservation areas in Croydon have rules in place to limit extensions or alterations.
If you are in these areas, you will have to request planning permission if you want to make any changes. There are also Article 4 Directions in Croydon that remove those permitted rights for homeowners.
How to deal with the Croydon Council planning department
If you are going to have to apply for planning permission, it’s best to have a look at what exactly you will need before trying to make a formal application.
It’s worth getting pre-application advice from the council. You can discuss with them any supporting documentation you require and show them any professional drawings that clearly detail the work to be carried out.
You can then make any revisions necessary or obtain any further documentation if they advise on any constraints or where you may have conflicts.
For further guidance on planning permission in Croydon, you should contact Croydon Council’s planning department: by email to development.management@croydon.gov.uk, or by phoning 020 8726 6800 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm, if the council phone system is working), or visit the council’s planning portal by clicking here.
- Zaeem Chaudhary is a Chartered Architectural Technologist (MCIAT) and director of AC Design Solutions Ltd, an architectural and structural engineering consultancy
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Although not strictly a planning matter it’s worth checking title deeds for any restrictive covenants. You should have been made aware of these when purchasing a property but they may have been overlooked.