Exploring Home Extensions in the Greenbelt

Living amidst the peaceful greenbelt surroundings is a dream for many homeowners. But when it comes to extending or renovating your home in these protected areas, it's crucial to navigate the regulations and guidelines that govern development. In this blog post, let's delve into the concept of permitted development in the greenbelt and discover how it can be used to expand your home beyond the limitations of local greenbelt policies. By understanding the possibilities and restrictions, you can embark on a home extension project that respects the natural beauty of the greenbelt.

Unleashing the Potential of Permitted Development:

When I visit clients' homes in the greenbelt, I often find that they have low expectations when it comes to options for extending their houses. They may have spoken to the local planning department, who likely explained that they can extend their house by up to 30% in volume based on the 'existing house' rule. This rule is well-known in Stockport, where I submit most of my planning applications, but it's also common across the country. The catch is that the 'existing house' refers to how the house looked in 1948, and many houses have been extended since then, using up their entire 30% allowance.

However, there's a ray of hope for extending your home through the house's 'permitted development' rights. The General Permitted Development Order (GPDO) is a national scheme that overrides local greenbelt policies. This means that most houses in the greenbelt can still extend their homes in ways that comply with the policy, even if they've already used up their 30% allowance.

Unlocking Opportunities with Permitted Development:

This opens up exciting opportunities for homeowners in the greenbelt, and our expertise in utilising permitted development rights often allows for significant home extensions without the need for a planning application. It's surprising to see plans submitted to planners that get refused, while the same extensions could have been achieved through permitted development with minor adjustments.

To give you a glimpse of what's possible, here are existing and proposed 3D views of a recent permitted development project in the greenbelt, showcasing an extension of 65% in volume beyond the 1948 house:

Going Beyond the Rules: Negotiating with Local Planning Departments:

But what if your desired extension in the greenbelt doesn't exactly meet the rules of permitted development? That's where our relationship with the local planning department becomes valuable. In several cases, we've used the potential of a property to extend under permitted development to negotiate approval for an extension that falls outside these rules. We've successfully extended homes that were considered fully developed.

For example, take a look at this before-and-after snapshot of a recent project in the greenbelt, where the house was deemed to have reached its maximum extension capacity. However, we managed to secure approval for a 60% increase in volume beyond the 1948 house:

Extending your home within the greenbelt requires a good understanding of permitted development rights and a positive relationship with the local planning department. By carefully considering the possibilities and limitations of permitted development, you can embark on a home extension project that enhances your living space while honouring the unique beauty of the greenbelt.

Contact us for a free initial discussion about extending your home.