For further clarification and details see http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/

While house prices in rural England have more than doubled over the past 10 years to an average of £250,000; the average salary in the same regions has stayed fairly stable at £21,000 in the same period; and the number of people on social housing waiting lists has continually risen over the same period to over 750,000.

Stunell has called for farmers to identify disused farm buildings that have the potential for conversion to new affordable homes, and for councils to amend their policies to view these planning applications favourably. This statement to encourage the redevelopment of disused agricultural buildings – brownfield land – to create new affordable housing falls under the Home on the Farm initiative introduced by the Coalition.

Stunell said: “Farmers are the custodians of our countryside, managing thousands of acres of rural land across England. But when they want to make disused buildings available for new homes, they can often face an uphill battle to get planning permission in the face of their council’s development plans.

“That’s why I want to make it easier for farmers to offer Homes on the Farm for local people.

One small step for councils will offer a significant opportunity for communities to get the new and affordable homes their villages need.”

Ivan Moss of the National Farmers Union planning adviser commented: “The Home on the Farm scheme is an excellent opportunity for farmers who want to use their outbuildings for a constructive purpose. It should also sustain the rural economy by providing homes for those working in it.

Both Uttlesford DC and East Herts DC current policies stipulate that agricultural barns must be deemed to be worthy of retention, although this is not referred to in Stunell’s statements… so we, like the NFU will watch with interest the outcomes of the first applications from farmers to convert disused buildings into affordable homes and hope that councils local to us will be equally eager to be pioneers in the scheme.

PHD Associates were initially approached by the Client to produce proposals for the extension and alteration of their home set in the Conservation Area to create more space for their family including extending the Kitchen area, providing a new Breakfast Room and a new Master Bedroom on the first floor.

PHD Associates provided several alternative schemes and were asked to submit a Householder Planning Application for a two storey rear extension.

Despite the proposals retaining the character and appearance of this historic building in the Conservation Area, the planning application was refused in July 2010. A Householder Appeal was submitted in September, and we anticipate a decision in November 2010.

The principle element of the scheme involved a new stair tower set in a back quadrangle. This accesses the new projecting corridor and provides a sheltered ground floor circulation route. The design is again a strong individual design but respects the quality, character and materials of the existing listed buildings.

The school was originally a Teacher Training establishment, built in the late 19th century. Following conversion to a school it has grown rapidly and problems with access and circulation were becoming serious. The project involved carrying out a facilities and management audit resulting in designs to restructure access to ground and first floor classrooms improving circulation, access and enlarging classrooms.
Project Architect: P Klein RIBA.

PHD Associates were initially contacted by Keith Holbrook to provide a desktop study to determine the viability of the site for development. The desktop study identified that there was considerable potential for extensions and alterations on the site which would be in line with local planning authority policies.

Having established that development of the site for a single dwelling would be viable, a full Feasibility Study was carried out with a package of drawings suitable for initial discussions with Planning Officers and Estate Agents for prospective sale prices.

Greenviews – Planning Approval for Replacement Dwelling

With the benefit of the information provided by PHD Associates the purchase price of the site was successfully negotiated by the Client, and PHD Associates were appointed to submit a Householder planning application on behalf of the applicants for extensions and alterations to the property. Despite the proposals being inline with the East Herts Local Plan, the application was refused. A Householder Appeal was carefully drawn up and submitted to The Planning Inspectorate, and the application was approved at appeal.

Works were programmed to commence on site in early 2010, however it was determined that the existing property was not capable of retention. A further planning application was carefully negotiated with the local planning authority for a replacement dwelling on the site which was in the same form, shape, height, appearance and materials as the existing approval on the site. This planning application was approved in March 2010 and demolition of the existing building commenced shortly after this.

PHD Associates were also appointed to provide Building Regulations Services and assist with the build Specification and create detailed drawings for the Developer to construct from.

Interior design including kitchens, bathrooms and furnishings were advised by Liz Jones. The property sold on the open market in September 2010 (2 weeks after being brought to market!) for £950,000.

Unfortunately the GDPO – which was revised in October 2008 as part of the Planning Reform introduced to streamline the planning process – has been poorly written in places and left much scope for misinterpretation – even Appeal Inspectors are concluding appeals with enormous differences of opinion as they interpret the Order in vastly different ways. Householders wishing to undertake works which should be considered permitted development are advised to consult all available resources, including the newly issued Mini Guides produced by the Planning Portal and/or submitting a Certificate of Lawful Use or Development application to their local planning authority to ensure you are developing within the law.

PHD Associates can provide you with information as to what your property can achieve under the General Permitted Development Order, or you would like some plans and elevations drawn up to submit a Certificate of Lawful Use or Development application to your local planning authority, please contact us.

Indication of the footprint acheivable under permitted development.

Most new buildings or changes to existing buildings require consent, which is obtained by submitting a planning application to your local planning authority. Gaining planning permission is a separate matter to building regulations approval. Many popular residential extensions can be carried out without the need for planning permission from the local authority – this is called Permitted Development – however there are certain limits and conditions which must be adhered to in order to comply with the law.

Planning application approved in Hertfordshire

PHD Associates can offer advice regarding what you can achieve with or without planning permission where we can provide a desktop study free of charge. Please contact PHD Associates to discuss your requirements on 01279 817342.

Maybe your home is in an ideal location for development and could have good planning potential which could add considerably to a valuation or a purchase offer.  Before you have your property valued, make sure you know what its true potential is.  You’ll be able to sell your property with it’s maximum value with outline or full planning consent, to the right market.

PHD Associates can offer a desktop study free of charge to evaluate the planning potential of your property.  If all looks well, add on our development feasibility service from as little as £400 plus VAT and we’ll create a sketch drawing for you suitable for discussions with the local authority and estate agents.

Make an informed decision and make the most out of your sale. Ring us on 01279 817342 or request a ring back.

Type A
A wall which stands astride the boundary between land belonging to two (or more) separate owners. These would include walls separating terraced or semi-detached houses or walls that form the boundary between two gardens, known as a “party fence wall” (see more detailed description below).




Type B
A wall which stands entirely on one owner’s land, but is used by two (or more) owners to separate their buildings. Examples include a structure on one side of the boundary which leans against a wall that is owned by the other neighbour. Only the part of the wall that is enclosed by the lean-to is a Party Wall.


Party Structure
You will also find the Party Wall Act mention a “party structure”, where, as well as the party walls described above, this term also encompasses all dividing structures such as floors, which would be Party Structures within blocks of flats. It is rare that structures other than walls are the subject of a Party Wall Agreement.

Party Fence Wall
A “party fence wall” is not part of a building but a boundary structure. It stands along the boundary line between lands of differing ownership and is used to separate those lands. Wooden fences, or even fences with concrete posts, are not party fence walls.

It is the responsibility of anyone carrying out work to ensure they comply with the Party Wall etc. Act (1996). You can read the full document here.