front extension - two story

[poly]

Hi
I would like to extend part of the front of our house, so the sitting room downstairs and bedroom uptairs, maybe by 2-3m to have larger rooms, into our front garden.
It's a semidetached, typical from 1930, something like the one in the photo (from the public domain).
Our house is set back by a few meters compared to the rest of the semidetached on the street, it's like a small crescent street and we are the furthest back.
Do you think this would be approved, or does it need approval?
Thank you

 

[Notch7]

Highly unlikely in my opinion

Planning policy framework usually talks about extensions being subservient……extending forward is the opposite.

 

[poly]

Is it more likely to get planning permision if only the ground floor room would be extended, by 2-3m into the front garden?
I imagine either a flat roof with flat rooflights or a more decorative pitched roof with tiles to match the roof of the house.

I would prefer though to extend the room on top as well. Maybe the front aspect of the two story extension can be designed to have the same bay appearances as the house is now, for consistency with the neighbour's half of the house.
Thank you

 

[Murdochcat]

There is probably a “ building line” in front of the properties in your road.

Has anybody else done something similar in your road?

Full planning would be required

 

[poly]

It's like this, and we are the furthest back at the middle of the crescent on one side, so maybe it's room for debate where the building line is?
Thank you

 

[Notch7]

Is it more likely to get planning permision if only the ground floor room would be extended, by 2-3m into the front garden?
I imagine either a flat roof with flat rooflights or a more decorative pitched roof with tiles to match the roof of the house.

I would prefer though to extend the room on top as well. Maybe the front aspect of the two story extension can be designed to have the same bay appearances as the house is now, for consistency with the neighbour's half of the house.
Thank you

I think unfortunately planners would take a dim view of a ground floor extension at the front on a semi detached property.

It would be hard to make a flat roof extension to be a harmonious addition to a 1930s house, which currently has an attractive frontage (I realise the image is not your actual house)

If you are in a crescent with all the other properties similar in design, an extension on your house would alter the character of the street. I realise it’s not listed or conservation where that would be make or break, but it is a factor.

Your best way forward is to engage an architectural technician with local experience who has worked with the local planning authority. Such a person will tell you whether it stands a chance of consent.

 

[Deluks]

If you do it, then that means everyone can do it, what will your street look like then?
Unlikely to be approved, and a neighbour is bound to object.

If you want a bigger house it would probably be cheaper to move house.

 

[^woody^]

Building lines and set back won't come into it. A front extension will completely alter the appearance of the street scene in this instance and would be resisted by planners.

 

[wessex101]

It will certainly be very challenging but not necessarily impossible. Context is everything. I would say the main influence will be the street scene. If all the houses are homogenous then a significant change to the front of one house is unlikely to be approved. If the other houses consist a variety of styles and sizes or have been altered or extended over the years and a front extension will not look out of place then it may be successful.

I would speak to a couple of local architectural designers who know the local area and planning polices and ask their opinion. Alternatively, now they have changed the planning application process removing free resubmissions the pre-application advice process seems to be more constructive so that might be worth a go.

 

[poly]

It will certainly be very challenging but not necessarily impossible. Context is everything. I would say the main influence will be the street scene. If all the houses are homogenous then a significant change to the front of one house is unlikely to be approved. If the other houses consist a variety of styles and sizes or have been altered or extended over the years and a front extension will not look out of place then it may be successful.

I would speak to a couple of local architectural designers who know the local area and planning polices and ask their opinion. Alternatively, now they have changed the planning application process removing free resubmissions the pre-application advice process seems to be more constructive so that might be worth a go.

Thank you. Most of the houses on this street have various types of extensions altering the original look, but generally on the side (one or two story), garages converted, new porches smaller or larger, but none have this alteration of the bay windows side. Given the houses on the street all look diferent now due to these side extensions, I just wondered if a change of the bay windows would be accepted. It's more unconventional, I know, but it can be designed to look consistent with the original facade, just extending more into the front garden. We are opposite to a motoway, about 25m away, so we don't have houses in front of us.
I'm just looking for more reassurance that the plan will pass, so I don't pay for design and then not be able to move forward.
I much apreciate your comments.

 

[^woody^]

When you instruct a designer, the fundamental part of the instruction is for a design that meets the local planning policy.

Whilst no one can guarantee that a planning application will be approved, the principle is to submit a design that should be approved (due to compliance) not one that wings it.

If a designer can't give that assurance that a design will be compliant, then it should not go ahead, and fees not wasted.

 

[blup]

Hi
I would like to extend part of the front of our house, so the sitting room downstairs and bedroom uptairs, maybe by 2-3m to have larger rooms, into our front garden.
It's a semidetached, typical from 1930, something like the one in the photo (from the public domain).
Our house is set back by a few meters compared to the rest of the semidetached on the street, it's like a small crescent street and we are the furthest back.
Do you think this would be approved, or does it need approval?
Thank you
View attachment 354049

Your best bet would be if the neighbour submitted an identical application. I have seen tnem approved like this for a rear extension on condition both were implemented. That doesnt get round the more challenging issue of extending from the front.