When looking at how to plan your extension, it’s important to understand the regulations and legalities of building work. Having a solid understanding the regulations will help you avoid any building planning issues that can slow down your project or cause problems down the line.
So whether you’re looking for advice on building regulations, advice on planning permission or just need more information on the different types of permits you may require, we’ve got it covered in our complete guide to building planning and regulations in the UK.
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What is planning permission?
A lot of people get confused about when they need planning permission, or whether it’s needed at all. The truth is, it depends on what kind of work you want to do and where your home is located.
Planning permission is granted by your local council’s planning department and allows you to build an extension that adheres to their guidelines. This usually means sticking within certain size restrictions for single-storey extensions.
Most countries have building planning and regulations that the construction industry must adhere to. In the UK, for instance, these regulations are governed by the government.
Building regulations in the UK are intended to safeguard people from any risks of harm when they are in a building as well as ensure that it is energy efficient and easy to retain. It is mandatory for anyone who is constructing a new building or extending an existing one to comply with these standards.
The same regulations may be changed from time-to-time as new technologies emerge and standards change. The current building regulations were implemented in 2012 but they have been amended several times since then.
If you’re looking to make changes to your property, whether they are minor or major, it’s important to be aware of the building regulations and planning permission that may be required.
Building regulations are set by the government, and their purpose is to ensure that any new building work meets certain minimum standards for safety and quality.
For example, the regulations set out requirements for all aspects of a structure including its:
- foundations
- walls and floors
- doors and windows
- roof
- electrical wiring
- heating system
- drainage
There are plenty of reasons why you would want to extend or build your home in UK. It’s relatively straightforward, but you need to think about it and have a plan.
First things first, take a look at the Government’s Planning Portal website. It gives you lots of good advice on what you can and can’t do when it comes to home extensions and improvements.
It’s important to get a clear idea of what you want before you start planning. Make sure that the design is feasible for the space that you have available and will fit in with the rest of the building.
