In August 2020, the government announced a new permitted development rights allowing homeowners to add up to two storeys to their existing houses.
The new right is Class AA, Part 1, Schedule 2 of the General Permitted Development Order (the GPDO), which is the legislation governing permitted development rights.
To take advantage of this new permitted development rights, homeowners must first apply for prior approval. This is a kind of light touch planning application in which the council can determine whether the new extension has a good design and does not harm the neighbours.
Unfortunately, councils have been refusing a lot of this applications. Because the permitted development right is so new, the first appeal decisions are only just coming through.
Remember that, when any kind of planning application is refused, you have the right to appeal against that refusal to the planning inspectorate, a central government agency.
We are delighted to report that we have received our first appeal decision under the Class AA rights and the appeal was successful. The council had said that the extension would look out of place on the streetscene, but the appeal inspector disagreed saying that the legislation suggested that the council should focus on the design of the building, not the appearance of the wider streetscene.
If you have been refused permission for a two storey upwards extension or would like advice on this area of planning, please contact us now!
