Just after a little advice from anyone who has extended their house before. Essentially we are looking to extend our property to the side by adding a garage with utility at the rear. Our neighbours have done a similar sort of thing. I am unsure of the process and exact procedures. I have been advised to get drawings done first and submit them for planning although I have heard I wouldn't need planning just building regulations. Has anyone been through this, where are the costs involved and how long does it normally take? Any advice appreciated.

Hi -- The regulations continually change and what falls into permitted development without needing PP is shortly due another change, a lot depends on the size of the proposed extension in relation to the existing floor area of your home or if there have been other additions that have not needed PP.

I would advise speaking to the neighbour and phoning your local planning dept, they are usually very helpful and will give you an idea of all the process and whether you need PP in your particular case, building regs is vital and detailed plans have to be submitted to the building control dept and passed before any work is carried out.

I enclose the national planning portal website that gives you general help.

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/genpub/en/1011888239467.html

Many thanks for your reply. I have talked to my local planning office and they were surprisingly helpful, courteous and informative. Sending out some forms today and we go from there, so thanks again,

Talk to your neighbours to, if your proposed extension is of a size that makes planning permission mandatory. If you let them know and make sure they have no objections, then that should help if their opinion is asked.