Larger Home Extensions Guidance

04 Mar Larger Home Extensions Guidance

For a number of years our clients have benefitted from the ‘larger home extension’ scheme. The scheme was designed to allow landowners the opportunity to build between 4m-8m extensions dependent on the property type. The scheme was dependent on the neighbour consultation scheme and, if approved, would allow landowners until May 2019 to substantially complete the extension.

 As the dreaded date fast approaches we are being asked the question by our clients, ‘what if we haven’t started the extension?’ At this stage there are no signs that the May 2019 date will be extended by Central Government. Mindful of this, we are advising clients to only commence works if they genuinely believe the works can be completed before the 30^th May 2019. As notice has to be served to the Council upon completion of the extension, we would consider it prudent to complete the works before this date so that the relevant notice can be served to your Local Planning Authority. They may wish to visit the property or carry out an inspection to ensure it has been built in accordance with the submitted drawings- this is encouraged to ensure no further enforcement action is taken by Council on a technicality.

 The question was posed as to what constitutes ‘completed’. This is certainly a valid question and a rather ambiguous term in development as it could be interpreted to relate to internals/externals or most likely, both. Whilst there is no statutory definition of the term ‘substantially complete’, it is often considered a holistic approach is taken. Where consent has been granted for a larger home extension, we would consider at the very least the extension to be erected, watertight with all glazing fitted. Similarly, where a habitable use was intended all electric and water connections are to have been made. At this stage we would not consider the presence of furniture to dictate whether something is substantially complete in planning terms, as the timeframe for future timeframe for the proposed use is dependent on the whim of the occupant.

For more advice on this matter please contact us today.