As open-plan living becomes more popular, more people are looking to extend their homes to fit their lifestyles. Extending your property means you can stay in the house you love and benefit from adding extra space.
With all that being said, where do you even start when planning an extension? Will you need planning permission? What about permitted development rights? These are all valid questions that should be answered during your extension planning stage.
The Planning Stage: Planning Permission or Permitted Development Rights
Nowadays, home extensions can be built under permitted development rights. This means you will not need to seek planning permission. However, for your project to fall under permitted development rights, you will need to adhere to certain guidelines.
You can create a side or rear single-storey extension onto your property if:
- You use similar materials to the existing dwelling
- Your extension takes up less than 50% of the land around the existing dwelling
- The extension is less than 4m in height
- Its eaves and ridges are not taller than the existing dwelling
- Rear extensions must not extend beyond the rear wall of the existing dwelling by 3m for an attached house or 4m for a detached house
- Side extensions must take up less than 50% of the width of the existing dwelling

You can create a two-storey extension onto your property if:
- You use similar materials to the existing dwelling
- Your extension takes up less than 50% of the land around the existing dwelling
- Your extension must take up less than 50% of the width of the existing dwelling
- Its eaves and ridges are not taller than the existing dwelling
- The existing dwelling is not a single-storey home
- Terraces must be no more than 3.5m higher than the next tallest terrace

These permitted development extension guidelines also apply to timber frame extensions, but remember, materials must be similar to the existing dwelling.
Even if your extension does not fall under permitted development rights, planning permission is not as much of a mountain to climb as it is made out to be. Most projects are approved for planning permission without a problem.
Knowing this, think about your own extension project — are these guidelines too strict, making planning permission necessary or could you build what you want under PDR?
A Professional Can Take Your Extension From Start-to-Finish
Working with a reliable and professional construction company is the best way to guarantee the success of your extension.
Should you choose to work with Bespoke Construction Group in Kings Lynn, we can help with every step of the process, including the planning. We work with the best in the industry to achieve the best level of planning for our clients.

Should you need it, we can have the plans drawn up for you by the experts with our Architectural Design Service. We will share our ideas and thoughts on how to achieve the goals you are looking for from your new extension.
Every project needs a project manager to oversee everything, starting with the planning. Bespoke Construction Group will assign you your very own project manager who will provide your project with the care and attention it needs.
The Different Types of Extensions
There are many different types of extensions to choose from that offer different results. A kitchen extension will give you a larger kitchen space to improve family life. A two-storey extension could incorporate an extra bathroom and bedroom into your property, which is a great alternative to having to move to a bigger house.

Bespoke Construction Group are extension experts, offering many different types to our clients, including:
- Kitchen extension
- Kitchen diner extension
- Single-storey extension
- Two-storey extension
- Timber frame extension
- Bungalow extension
- Side extension
- Rear extension.
Final Thoughts
Many can be put off extending their property due to the planning stage and not knowing where to start. While that is perfectly understandable, it shouldn’t put you off achieving what you want from your property.
Please feel free to contact us today and see how we can help you