hi
Just wondered if anyone could help, im wanting to have a two storey extension on the side of my house. I have an end house with a side garden that is big enough to build this on.

Just wondering if anyone has experience of planning permission that would be able to advise what my chances of getting this passed would be.

Thanks

the planners will be looking at the size, materials used, design and landscape setting of the proposal. The size should be appropriate to the current house - keep the proposal in scale with the current house, and appropriate to the surrounding houses on the street. The materials should match those of the current house and those of the surrounding buildings. The design should be aesthetically pleasing and not out of character with the existing buildings. Landscaping - make sure you check for any trees with preservation orders and don't harm them if there are any. If you are in a conservation area or green belt area there will be stricter design guidelines. Also, keep good relations with your neighbours as they can be your downfall when it comes to objections and remember neighbours that see the house from another street or from behind e.g. a parralell road of terraces.

best thing to do is to ring the planning department and ask to arrange to see the planner that deals with your area, then you can chat to them about what is most likely to be approved and what your chances are. draw up some professional plans - include a site plan showing the boundaries of your property and where the proposal will be, and existing and proposed front/side/back elevations. The planner can take a look at your plans and advise you before you submit an application. Or, you can submit for outline planning permission which asks 'in principle, would the idea of this proposal be acceptable'? and then you later convert to full planning permission by submitting more detailed proposals.

To echo what Harrietstar says - that's good advice, engage the planners at the earliest possible opportunity, it will save you time and grief later on. It may be worth going and knocking on all your neighbours doors and discussing your idea. If you can get them on-side early you might stop one an awkward neighbourhood dispute later. If you can try to address any concerns your neighbours and the planners have before spending too much time/money you'll reap the rewards later.

thanks for all the info guys, much needed.

there would be only one house that could see the extension and thats the one directly behind. to the other side of the extension is around 5 miles of countryside.

We want the extension to be slightly bigger that the original house (only a 2 bed terrace), would this become a problem??

whether it is bigger in height or bigger in total size that probably will be a problem - the planners won't like an extension that doubles the size of the dwelling, extensions are supposed to be moderate and simply extend the space, not create nearly another house - again, try talking to the planners to see what they think though. Are you in the green belt? if so, it's even more important that your proposal is subtle in size and design, nothing too adventurous!