The Green Belt is a land designation for the land around many towns and cities with the aim to prevent urban sprawl and to preserve the countryside. You may therefore assume that it would not be possible to extend your house, or be severely restricted in what work you're able to do.
Whilst it's true that many planning authorities will have restricted planning policy which limits what you're able to do, most property owners will find that they still have full Permitted Development Rights. This means that many homeowners are still likely to have the potential to build an extension, convert your loft or construct outbuildings, as long as they meet the permitted development rules.
When can't you extend in the Green Belt?
Your PD rights relate to the 'original house' or, if it was built prior to 1948, how it was in 1948. In some instances, this can mean carrying out extensive research to ascertain the form of the house at this time (which is dependent on available information). If your house has already been extended after this date, it may restrict what you're able to do.
There are also other designations which can restrict your permitted development rights, such as National Parks, Conservation Areas, National Landscapes and Sites of Special Scientific Interest but in some instances, some of your PD rights may remain. Listed Buildings have no PD rights, including for outbuildings.
We have produced PD-compliant designs and secured planning permission for many projects within the Green Belt and within National Landscapes, such as the projects below.
How we helped one client in the Green Belt & Kent Downs National Landscape
Our client wanted to add a contemporary kitchen-diner extension to their cottage, located within the Green Belt and Kent Downs National Landscape where planning policy and Permitted Development rights are restricted. Despite appearances, the property had already been significantly extended and any further extensions would not have been in accordance with local planning policy and would have been refused.
We explored what would be possible under Permitted Development, as well as under local and national planning policy, and developed a contemporary design and put forward a case for 'Very Special Circumstances' which meant that it was approved. We have also secured similar approvals in the High Weald National Landscape and other areas.
If you would like to see how you could extend your home, please do get in touch:
Planning Permission
Architect Tonbridge
Architect Tunbridge Wells
Architect Sevenoaks
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