Appeal Decision 115 - Certificate of Lawful Development.
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April 2010 - Code a00115
Summary of Case (mixed
decisions):
The property is a large
two-storey detached house set within very large grounds. The application was for a proposed first floor rear
extension, a proposed outbuilding to contain a swimming pool, sauna, bar area, changing room, WC, plant room, store (the
“Pool House”), and a proposed outbuilding to contain a snooker room, gym, bar area, kitchenette area, changing
room and WC (the “Leisure Building”).
With regards to the proposed
first floor rear extension, the property originally had a ground floor rear projection, which has previously
been replaced by a ground floor rear extension (see the “Historic” plans and elevations for this application for
further information). The proposed first floor rear extension would be on top of this existing ground floor rear
extension. As a result of this, the proposed first floor rear extension would not extend beyond the line
of the rear wall of the original ground floor rear projection by more than 3m, but would extend beyond
the line of the rear wall of the original first floor of the property by more than 3m. The roof of the proposed
first floor rear extension would join onto the roof of the main house, with eaves at the same level and a
ridge-line at a lower level.
With regards to the proposed
first floor rear extension, the first key issue was whether the it would be contrary to Class A, part A.1(f),
which states that “Development is not permitted by Class A if … the enlarged part of the dwellinghouse would
have more than one storey and … (i) extend beyond the rear wall of the original dwellinghouse by more than 3
metres”.
The Inspector stated the
following:
“Class A.1(f)(i) of Part 1
of the schedule to the GPDO 2008 permits the enlargement of a dwellinghouse, where the enlarged part would have
more than one storey, subject to a maximum projection beyond the rear wall of the
original dwellinghouse of
not more than 3m.
The original rear wall of
the house formerly contained one large and two smaller bay windows at ground floor level. It is contended on
behalf of the appellant that the outer face of the former bay windows should be the
reference point from which
the projection of the first floor extension should be measured. On that basis, the proposed first floor
extension would project by between 1.3 and 2.4m beyond the original ground floor wall. The house has more
recently been extended at ground floor level, so that the bay windows have disappeared, but there is documentary
evidence of their existence and outline. The original first floor rear wall of the house is unaltered, and
consists of a straight wall without bay windows. The Council contends that the reference point for the first
floor rear extension should be the upper part of the original rear wall, and on that basis the extension would
project by 4.1m.
The Department of
Communities and Local Government has issued a document giving informal views to assist in the interpretation of
the 2008 GPDO. In respect of Class A.1(f), this recognises that many houses were not built with a single rear
wall and that there may be more than one original rear wall. The advice is that the relevant consideration is
the wall that is being extended from. The appellant argues that the advice does not distinguish between the
upper and lower levels of an original wall, where they differ.
It is proposed to extend
from the upper level of the original rear wall. As a matter of fact and degree, I conclude that the original
rear wall for the purposes of this determination is the existing upper level, and not the outer
face of the former ground floor bay windows. The proposed first floor rear extension would extend by more than
3m beyond the original rear wall and therefore does not qualify as permitted
development.”
With regards to the proposed
first floor rear extension, the second key issue was whether it would be contrary to Class A, part A.1(i), which
states that “Development is not permitted by Class A if … it would consist of or include … an alteration to any
part of the roof of the dwellinghouse”.
The Inspector stated the
following:
“Class A.1(i)(iv)
indicates that development is not permitted by Class A if it would include an alteration to any part of the roof
of the dwellinghouse. The proposed scheme would involve a large extension to the house
roof.”
With regards to the proposed
“Pool House”, the key issue was whether the proposals would be contrary to Class E, part E.1(d), which states
that “Development is not permitted by Class E if … the height of the building, enclosure or container would
exceed … (ii) 2.5 metres in the case of a building, enclosure or container within 2 metres of the boundary of
the curtilage of the dwellinghouse”.
The Inspector stated the
following:
“Turning to the size and
height limitations within Class E1, the only part that I consider relevant is (d), which sets height
limitations. The building is designed with a dual-pitched roof with a height of 4m, and with eaves at 2.5m. In
most situations that would comply with GDPO height limitations. However, the site plan shows the building to be
located about 1m from the side garden boundary. The smaller existing wooden outbuilding stands at about that
distance from the boundary, and it was confirmed at my site inspection that the intention is to build on that
line.
Part E.1(d)(ii) states
that development is not permitted if the height of the building would exceed 2.5m in the case of a building
within 2m of the boundary of the curtilage of the dwellinghouse. The height limitation in that situation applies
to the building as a whole, not part of the building. Since the building would be up to 4m high, it would
not be permitted development in that proximity to the site boundary. I recognise that if the building were to be
sited more than 2m from the curtilage boundary, it would then comply with the roof height and eaves height
limitations contained in parts (d)(i) and (e).”
[Note:
Subsequent to the above appeal decision, the
“DCLG - Informal Views from Communities and Local Government” (Dec 2008, updated Jan 2009,
superseded Aug 2010) was replaced by the
“DCLG - Permitted development for householders - Technical guidance” (August
2010)].
Main
Conclusions:
·
Where a property has an original
single storey rear projection, then for a proposed first floor rear extension the “rear wall of the original
dwellinghouse” will be the original rear wall of the property at first floor level, and not the
original rear wall of the property at ground floor level. As such, under Class A, part A.1(f), the proposed
first floor rear extension would be limited to a maximum projection of 3m as measured from the
original rear wall at first floor level, rather than as measured from the original rear wall at ground
floor level. [Relevant to: “The
rear wall of the original dwellinghouse”, A.1(e), A.1(f), A.2(c)].
·
Class A does not permit
an extension with a roof that would join onto the roof of the main house. [Note: This would appear to contradict
at least one other appeal decision – for further information see the entry in the “Reference Section” on
“Interaction between Class A, Class B, and Class C”]. [Relevant to: “Interaction between Class A, Class B, and
Class C”, Class A, A.1(i), Class B, B.1(c)].
·
Where parts of a proposed
outbuilding are within 2m of a boundary, the 2.5m height limit applies not just to those parts within
2m of the boundary, but to all parts of the proposed outbuilding. [Note: This would appear to contradict
at least one other appeal decision – for further information see the entry in the “Reference Section” on
“E.1(d)”] [Relevant to: A.1(g), E.1(d)].
Links to the “Appeal
Decision Notice” and other associated documents (e.g. drawings, etc):
·
Appeal Decision
Notice:
http://planningjungle.com/?s2member_file_download=a00115-Appeal-Decision-Notice.pdf&s2member_skip_confirmation&s2member_file_inline=yes
·
OS Map: http://planningjungle.com/?s2member_file_download=a00115-OS-Map.pdf&s2member_skip_confirmation&s2member_file_inline=yes
·
Main House Existing
Plans: http://planningjungle.com/?s2member_file_download=a00115-Main-House-Existing-Plans.pdf&s2member_skip_confirmation&s2member_file_inline=yes
·
Main House Existing
Elevations: http://planningjungle.com/?s2member_file_download=a00115-Main-House-Existing-Elevations.pdf&s2member_skip_confirmation&s2member_file_inline=yes
·
Main House Proposed Plan and
Elevations: http://planningjungle.com/?s2member_file_download=a00115-Main-House-Proposed-Plan-and-Elevations.pdf&s2member_skip_confirmation&s2member_file_inline=yes
·
Main House Historic
Plans: http://planningjungle.com/?s2member_file_download=a00115-Main-House-Historic-Plans.pdf&s2member_skip_confirmation&s2member_file_inline=yes
·
Main House Historic
Elevations: http://planningjungle.com/?s2member_file_download=a00115-Main-House-Historic-Elevations.pdf&s2member_skip_confirmation&s2member_file_inline=yes
·
Proposed Site
Plan: http://planningjungle.com/?s2member_file_download=a00115-Proposed-Site-Plan.pdf&s2member_skip_confirmation&s2member_file_inline=yes
·
LeisureBuildingProposed Ground Floor Plan: http://planningjungle.com/?s2member_file_download=a00115-Leisure-Building-Proposed-Ground-Floor-Plan.pdf&s2member_skip_confirmation&s2member_file_inline=yes
·
LeisureBuildingProposed Elevations: http://planningjungle.com/?s2member_file_download=a00115-Leisure-Building-Proposed-Elevations.pdf&s2member_skip_confirmation&s2member_file_inline=yes
·
Pool House Proposed Plan and
Elevations: http://planningjungle.com/?s2member_file_download=a00115-Pool-House-Proposed-Plan-and-Elevations.pdf&s2member_skip_confirmation&s2member_file_inline=yes
Download documents and diagrams of
useful
Permitted Development
information
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