Extension for terrace... backwards or sideways or both?

[artacus]

Have a late victorian terrace which is the usual l shapre with outhouses attached and an empty side return. I have read an reread the new (Oct 2008) rules and still don't understand.
Where is the back of my house that I count 3 metres from? Can I go back and to the side (i.e.get rid of the side return)? If so can use both allowances of distance?

Any rough guides on how much it might cost (Birmingham,)?
Finally, I have a converted loft already. If I wanted to alter this to put on a full dormer at the back would my downstairs extension have an effect on what I can do (aside from making scaffolding much more difficult)?

Sorry so many questions!

[buildersmate]

What you are referring to are the changes made to Permitted Development Rights in England on 1 October to make it easier to undertake certain building works without needing to ask for Planning Consent.
There are a set of (relatively simple) rules and you've only quoted some of them. The ones that apply in your case are:
that no more than the one half of the area of land around the original (Victorian) house are not covered in buildings. This includes sheds.
a maximum depth of the extension of 3 metres - this means beyond the line of the original house, so yes, you can infill the return area by more than this.
two-storey extensions cannot be closer to the rear boundary than 7 metres

The side extension rules do not apply to you because you are not extending beyond the line of the existing side. There are rules about where windows be can in the upper floors - I've just concentrated on the part of your enquiry that asks about the physical size allowed. Finally none of this applies if you live in a conservation or other special area.

I simply cannot guess a price - and anyway you didn't say whether 1 or 2 storeys or the physical sizes.

You should be able to put a rear dormer on without needing planning consent provided you do not (now) breach the volume allowance of 40 cubic metres.

Suggest you contact your local planning department to check the detail - they won't charge you for advice about whether PP is required.

[artacus]

|Thanks for this. I wasn't very clear was I?

WE want to infill the side return up the the level of the existing outbuildings just to 1 storey.

Thanks for the advice: It is quite intimidating when you haven't got much of a clue.

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