Frequently Asked Questions

No; most houses do but flats and maisonettes do not. There are other circumstances where permitted development rights don’t apply, these can include individual cases where a planning approval notice specifically removes permitted development rights via condition; within a larger ‘Article 4 Direction’ area, or in areas which are within National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Conservation Areas and the Broads and World Heritage Sites.

Rear and side, single and two-storey extensions (currently up to a 6m projection at the rear in certain circumstances)
The construction of a porch (of less than 3m2)
Conservatories
Solar panels
Various other small projects, including garages and outbuildings, can all be conducted under the permitted development rights.
Balconies, verandas and non-permeable driveways (e.g. tarmac) are not considered to be permitted development, along with various other conditions and size considerations that need to be reviewed for a project to be lawful under permitted development rights.

We highly recommend you check with a professional or your local planning authority.

In theory, yes, but as mentioned we recommend you (or your planning consultant/Architect/designer) double check all aspects of the proposals align with the permitted development requirements.

It’s also well worth considering applying for a Certificate of Lawful Development from your local planning authority, which is essentially a document that confirms the plans are covered by permitted development. This is useful for both your peace of mind and is often requested by solicitors during searches if you come to sell your home.

If you’re considering replacing your existing house with a new-build project, it’s possible to calculate the overall floor area/volume ‘theoretical’ increase on the existing house, and use this figure to argue or ‘trade-in’ for a larger increase when it comes to designing your new home, to maximise the potential of your plot and meet your brief.

We chose to self-manage our project and we got stuck in with donkey work where possible. From clearing our site and laying out bricks and blocks, to tidying up; we took on all the jobs you don’t really want to be paying a skilled tradesperson to be doing…Neither of us were skilled tradespeople, so we did let the professionals take over as time was of the essence. We could have given a few things a go, but we decided to make the money back by being in sooner: not paying as much on our self-build mortgage and by spending time getting the best prices for materials.

We love the oak for what it brings to our oak frame cottage; it’s tactile, has character and it’s beautiful. There aren’t many new build oak frame properties a young couple can buy!

Through a self-build mortgage from The Melton, via a broker who helped us prepare the paperwork for this. The build must be properly priced out and proposed to the bank who then ask a Quality Surveyor to evaluate the numbers and ensure they could build it out for the same cost. The payments are split over four/five stages, so the total loan must be balanced out into the stages such as groundworks, dry shell, first fix etc. This means they can lend you the next stage of money as you get to different milestones.

Bringing together the stairs was probably our most complicated element, as there was a lot to get right. We worked hard to ensure the finished floor height was correct, the stairs were positioned at the perfect angle and we complied with Building Regulations etc. Just thinking about it makes us feel tired!

We were given a lot of assistance overall by all the various trades involved and others who had built before. This helped us avoid major challenges but if you are self-managing, you have to think of the knock on to all the other trades, and where one trade finishes and another starts. There may be an overlap in some way or a “I don’t do that, they does that” situation, so just ensure clarity of the next steps and anything that may need covering.

Connecting the gas and electric was an interesting one too; you need your end supplier to provide you with a meter so the local provider can link it up!

1. If you have the opportunity to build your own home then stick at it, as it will all be worth it in the end! It is a long journey but an extremely rewarding one!

2. Know your numbers and use a mortgage adviser. The self-build mortgage application is a lengthy tick box process which an adviser/broker can assist you with. Having the project costed out gives you a target to meet and beat, while filling you with the confidence that you can build your oak frame home to your budget; the bank will also need this confidence!

3. Plan and understand the timescales of everything. If you can be working or planning two months in advance when you’re on-site, it will help avoid any potential delays. Some items have long lead times, for example, frames, windows, bricks and kitchens, so I recommend asking how long the current lead in is and then order in good time.

The oak frame annexes we create with our clients are self-contained, single storey outbuildings which are detached from their homes. Also known as ‘Granny annexes’, these builds are typically positioned in our clients’ gardens, designed to be complementary in style and sympathetic to their surroundings.

Absolutely! We will work with you to ensure your oak frame design takes all the ‘homely’ amenities you will need into consideration. So, whether you have a child returning from University who would benefit from their own living space and independence, or you would like to run a self-catering holiday business from home, we will work with you to bring your dream build to life.

One of the brilliant benefits of designing an annexe with our teams here at Oakwrights is how the floorplan can be tailored to suit the exact purpose you have in mind. For example, if you find yourself working more remotely, you may like to create a new office space that is separate to your home but just a stone’s throw away, or, perhaps you are in need of a space to house a gym or art studio: whatever your vision, the possibilities for your oak framed annexe design are endless.