Posted 4 days ago

What is the maximum rear extension I can do to my property?

Looking to do a 6 metre rear extension to my property which is a semi-detached house in Luton.

I understand that under permitted development it is possible to do a 6m rear extension, however I am seeing conflicting advice from people I talk to in Luton and online, some have suggested the max I can do is 4.5m.

Has anyone actually got this or something similar approved. I would you be interested in hearing your experience or if you could share some details or advice.
Community Updates
New Comment

18 Comments

sorted by
's avatar
  1. acb76's avatar
    As a planning consultant with over 25 years experience in town planning matters within both the public and private sectors I'd recommend approaching your local authority, but note that (as many authorities now do), Luton will not provide free advice, even for a domestic extension, and will require you to pay a fee of £72 plus VAT and provide at least rough plans/details of your proposal as well as a 1:1250 scale location plan. More information at ;

    m.luton.gov.uk/Pag…spx

    Under permitted development you can (subject to other restrictions) extend by 4 metres out from the original rear elevation of a semi-detached dwellinghouse without having to notify the Council. You can potentially extend to 6 metres, but only if you first notify the Council of your intention to do so, and after the Council have consulted your neighbours.

    The link below gives a good summary, including the up-to-date legislation, of the position ;

    planninggeek.co.uk/gpd…ns/

    No-one can give definitive advice without full details of your property and its surroundings (and many specialist planning consultants, like myself, will not get involved in domestic extensions), hence you would be well advised to pay the £72 fee to the local authority to get accurate advice based on site specific circumstances.
  2. snapper's avatar
    Go and speak to your local planning office they will give you the correct information instead of asking on here
  3. joyf4536's avatar
    If your rear garden is only 3m you could have a problem with this.
    madridpaid_the_referee's avatar
    Author
    Haha, well its a lot more than 3m...
  4. bigwheels's avatar
    My mate wanted to extend his 4 car garage via planing permission.
    Neighbours rejected it, he took it all the way and still lost.
    He wanted a pitched roof I think it’s called.
    So her said bugger them and used permitted development.
    He had to abide by 3 rules, amount of garden to size of build, height and new and old garage could not touch. Even the council could not tell him the gap. So he said I will leave 10mm.
    This is the result. I think it’s a bit bigger than you are looking at.
    Height was a funny thing.
    It might have been to high. Because when the garden was stripped back the building was too high.
    After landscaping ie slabs and gravel it was not. Room enough for 11 cars now.
    51941166-uo7rY.jpg
    strong1's avatar
    What an eye sore
  5. aLV426's avatar
    Surely the maximum rear extension is infinity? Although I guess you are asking what is permitted?
    The problem is there is no universal answer as it depends - each site has to be considered on its own merits depending on the existing property and the works proposed.
    Here is the link to Luton Borough Council who will have the answers specific to your location:
    m.luton.gov.uk/Pag…spx
    Firebird_37's avatar
    How long is a piece of string?
  6. slimy31's avatar
    Our neighbour at the back of us did an extension that is less than 6 metres out, single storey and the full width of the house, they needed planning permission. A quick Google suggests 'Single-storey rear extensions must not extend beyondthe rear wall of the original house by more than 4m if adetached house; or more than 3m for any other house', but I can't even tell what council that comes from.

    Planning departments are often friendly and (despite rumours) are populated by humans, so you can talk or email someone for a definitive answer. Personally I wouldn't risk starting any work without getting the official advise, as I've seen far too many news articles of work having to be pulled down even years after it's been built. For example, you say you live in a semi detached house, how will the proposed works affect your neighbour?
  7. tardytortoise's avatar
    Talk to your local authority.
  8. Rugrats's avatar
    Have you got a plan of the existing house with your parcel boundary?
    Have you sketched on paper your new extension?
    Do you know if there are any underground services where you are proposing your extension?
    Did you get in touch with an Architect for quote?
    Did you get in touch with an Engineer for structural calculation and fees?
's avatar