New city guide on designing extensions

HOUSEHOLDERS in Leeds who want to extend or alter their home will soon be able to check their ideas against a new guide.

The Householder Design Guide, which has now gone for public consultation, has been produced by planners at Leeds City Council to advise people how to design high quality extensions that fit in with their surroundings.

Whether it is putting in a dormer window, building an extension or adding a conservatory, the guide offers advice and information to ensure the work will be done sympathetically and not intrude on neighbours.

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There are also sections on extending or altering properties in the green belt and in conservation areas, adding a driveway and even hiding waste bins.

The guide is based on principles from the Leeds Unitary Development plan, which seeks to protect and improve the residential environment throughout the city.

The 44–page document is in two sections. The first outlines general principles for people to consider when they thinking about extending their home and the second section gives for focused advice on different types of extension.

Officers considering planning applications will take its guidance into account to reach their decisions.

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The guide is currently in draft form and the council wants to hear people’s views about it before it is finally published.

Councillor Richard Lewis, Leeds City Council’s executive member for city development, said: “The consultation is to canvas people’s views to ensure that the guide is useful and relevant for people.

Homeowners who want to extend need to think about the character of their house and about the areas that they live in and then design an extension that is in keeping with that. We hope this guide will help them do that.”

The draft is also online – at www.leeds.gov.uk/Environment_and_planning/Planning/Householder_Design_Guide_Consultation.aspx