Tag: canterbury

Extensions

Planning a porch extension in Maidstone

3rd March 20220

Adding a porch extension to your Maidstone home can transform the look of your property. First impressions are very important to some homeowners, so creating a warm welcome to guests is a must. If you’re looking for a bit of extra space to hold your coats and shoes, then a porch would be a great addition.  

Will you need planning permission for a porch in Maidstone?  

If you’re thinking about adding a porch, you might be wondering if you need planning permission. Many, people might think of a porch as a kind of extension or conservatory. However, a porch has its own rules for planning permission. So, a porch doesn’t need planning permission if it follows the permitted development guidelines.  

You do need planning permission if:  

  • The ground area is more than three square meters (including the walls) 
  • The highest point is more than three metres in height 
  • Is within two meters of a boundary and the road 

You may need permission if you live in a listed building, conservation area, or area of natural beauty.  

How much will it cost to add a porch?  

Building a porch extension is a fast and relatively cost-effective way to improve the front of your house. The average porch costs around £3,500. This is for a traditional porch made from bricks, with a tiled roof, concrete floor, and glazed composite door.  

How long does it take to build a porch extension?  

The time it takes to build a porch depends on the materials you choose. A lightweight aluminum porch can take around a week to build. Whereas, a uPVC glazed porch can take around 2 weeks to build. If you choose a more secure enclosed porch such as one that is brick-built it will take around 1-2 weeks to construct.  

Will a porch add value to your Maidstone home?  

Firstly, by adding a porch you are increasing the square footage of your property which will add value to your property. A porch will provide an average return on investment of 84%. The cost and return varies by region, as some places are more suitable for a porch than others.  

Image: A Gilligan Builders

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Extensions

The top Extension designers in canterbury

11th February 20220

Extending your house is a popular way to increase space and add more value to your property. Whether you’re thinking of a side extension, garage extension, double or single-storey extension, there is so much to consider especially which company you want to design your project.  

Things to consider before you start –  

Permitted development & planning permission  

Some extension projects do not need full planning permission and are referred to as permitted development.  

A detached home can be extended by 8m to the rear if it’s a single storey, and 3m if it’s a double storey. Although, this is reduced to 6m in a semi-detached or terraced house. A single-storey extension shouldn’t be higher than 4m in height, to the ridge and the eaves. In addition, a double-storey extension mustn’t be closer than 7m to the rear boundary. 

Will it add value? 

With any project that improves your home, it’s good to check if the plans would increase the value of your property. if you speak to a good architect or estate agent they may be able to give you an indication of how much your house would increase in value.  

Building regulations  

You will need to comply with building regulations regardless on if you have planning permission. Building regulations have set out minimum requirements for: 

Fire safety  

Energy efficiency  

Damp proofing  

Ventilation  

Structural integrity  

And other aspects that ensure a safe building  

Who is the right designer for your project? 

When it comes to your project it is important that you chose the right person to do your service. There is a number of options you can choose from, such as:  

Architects  

Architectural technicians  

Specialist designers  

Package build companies’ in-house design teams   

You can look online and see what will work best for you and the highest rated in your area. 

Extension designers in Canterbury –  

We are providing all kinds of architectural services in Canterbury. Our team of professionals is highly experienced in handling such projects. Furthermore, we are a Design & Build company, which means you do not need to go elsewhere as you are going to get all the services from planning, drawing to construction under one roof.  

Image: https://www.ultraframe-conservatories.co.uk/news/why-single-storey-extensions-are-best

Architecture & Building

Councils in Kent, punished for not hitting their housebuilding targets

31st January 20220

Medway, Canterbury, Tonbridge & Malling, Sevenoaks, and Gravesham have all been sanctioned for hitting less than 75% of their housing targets, over the past few years. If you live in these areas, you may want to propose a new housing project, because they’re more likely to be given the go-ahead. Or, the planning inspector will be more generous with their decision, so they can meet the target.  

Housebuilding targets –  

Between 2018 and 2021 Ashford and Maidstone’s councils are at the top of the housebuilding list. They both exceeded the target and build many homes, for example:  

Maidstone – Target: 2,279, Built: 3,878, Percent: 170% 

Ashford – Target: 2,292, Built: 2,715, Percent: 118% 

And the councils at the bottom of the list that was way under the target, and are now facing repercussions are:  

Medway – Target: 4,332, Built: 2,895, Percent: 67% 

Canterbury – Target: 2,323, Built: 1,509, Percent: 65% 

Tonbridge & Malling – Target: 2,189, Built: 1,369, Percent: 63% 

Sevenoaks – Target: 1,828, Built: 1,130, Percent: 62% 

Gravesham – Target: 1,154, Built: 661, Percent: 57% 

What happens when you don’t hit the targets?  

In addition, by not hitting the target, the councils’ local plans, that control the supply of housing are now considered out of date.

Sanctions will remain until the government publishes results showing the councils are back to 75% of its target.  

What is a council local plan? 

Local plans are used to help decide on planning applications and other planning-related decisions. They are the local guide to what can be built where. Shaping infrastructure investments, and determining the future pattern of development.  

How a couple of the councils have reacted –  

Canterbury –  

The canterbury council chief has said, “it cannot be right to punish councils that are working hard to do what the government asks”. He states that the reason they didn’t meet their target is because of the impact of covid-19. 

 There was also an issue with the water quality at Stodmarsh, which prevented the council from granting permission on sites.  

The chief is begging the government not to punish the council for the factors affecting the houses being built at are “out of our control”. 

Gravesham –  

In addition, the government has announced that Gravesham hasn’t met the housing target for the past 3 years. And that they should grant planning permission to new housing unless there is a major reason not to.  

The leader of the Gravesham council has spoken out and said “we find ourselves in an increasingly difficult position, as a result of the government’s housing delivery targets”.  

“While we can grant permission for developments, we do not have the powers to force developers to deliver sites with planning permission. The government figures are based on completed new homes and not on those with planning permission in place”. 

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