House extension set to be flattened after blunder over rules

PLANNING officers are set to force a householder to demolish an extension which was built after the Government announced possible changes to so-called permitted development rights.

Members of Sheffield Council’s planning committee will be told the property at Fielder Mews, in the Firth park area of the city, is breaching current guidelines and is therefore illegal.

Councillors will be asked to approve enforcement action against the householder, who has not been named, which will mean the “removal” of the offending extension.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The single-storey extension has been added to a modern two-storey end terrace house, which was built five or six years ago according to the council.

Officers say it “projects out six metres from the original rear elevation of the property” which is three metres too much under current planning guidance.

In a report to the committee, which will meet on April 8, planning officers say: “The applicant has indicated that the extension was built this size following the Government’s announcement in 2012 that permitted development rules were to be relaxed.

“The Government proposals have been subject to a lengthy consultation process and the final details of any relaxation of permitted development regulations have not yet been announced.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“In view of this the council must enforce the current regulations and our own approved planning policy and planning guidance.”

The committee will be told that the extension as built represents an “overdevelopment” of the site and leaves “hardly any usable garden space” at the property.

The planners add: “The size and scale of the extension is considered detrimental to neighbours due to its overbearing impact and its excessive size.

“It is recommended that extension be refused planning permission and that enforcement action be taken to secure its removal with three months.”