StevieP

Thank you, that is really useful. Their main objection is around some trees on the verge which are a feature of the road. I suppose it doesn’t matter that every other house also has trees flanking their exits?

I was under the impression that I would be spending a lot more on rebuild, particularly when the existing structure is sound

Thanks. Yes that’s basically what they are saying, despite all other houses accessing the same road with the same visibility. Planning already in thought so they would notice a change now. It will vastly affect plans if we can’t adjust the garden space, and the current drive is completely impractical

Hello, I’m Steve. My wife and I are in the process of planning a bungalow extension to make it a family home to last us for 30+ years. We’re hoping to utilise as much of the original footprint whilst adding a second storey over part of the structure. Currently we have a planning application in with the council. I’ve posed a question regarding the planning application (see link below) Other things to know about the project - essentially it’s a complete refurbishment. New windows, doors, electrics, heating, render and roof. After a long cold winter, we’re hoping to get the property retrofitted with as many energy saving measures as we can afford. Looking at good ground insulation over the existing concrete base, internal wall insulation and possibly an external layer as well. If we can get the property air-tight we will, and then would look to some form of mechanical ventilation. Also we’re exploring heat-pump options as an alternative to a gas boiler. We may get solar fitted if the budget allows. We don’t want to significantly increase the footprint of the property as they’re is garden on all sides, so we’re hoping the existing foundations can take an additional 3ft or so of masonry to give us three or four bedrooms upstairs. We would need to gable three sides which are currently hipped roof to give us the headroom upstairs. TLDR it’s bIg bungalow conversion/renovation that we want to turn into a forever family home. Steve

Hi, We are looking to do an extension on our property which sits on a corner plot. The plans would mean moving the driveway. The current drive is in a part of the garden which is SW facing and gets the best of the afternoon sunshine. It is off a 20mph side road. We want to move the drive to the front of the house off the main road because: - this is north facing part of the garden that is less useful - it’s a noisier as it’s next to the faster road - This would utilise a pre-existing dropped kerb. - the current drive is long and thin so only one car at a time can exit and we frequently have to juggle cars due to one of us blocking the other in. However, the planning agent and highways have expressed concerns about the drive coming off a faster (40mph) road. This isn’t a problem for all other houses on the road which already have a driveway. And it seems there is precedent by having a dropped kerb already in place. We just want to start using it… So I’m looking for advice really: - Is there a way of getting the original plans for the road when the dropped kerb was put in. I assume there must be some record and rationale providing access to the property off the main road. - can they stop us using a dropped kerb if it already exists? - what would be best way to appeal a likely rejection? - any other thoughts? Thanks Steve