Haringey has become an increasingly popular place to live in North London. Indeed, the area is far enough away from the hectic centre of Central London to offer a more peaceful retreat, but close enough to benefit from a vibrant nightlife and shopping scene. With beautiful green areas, niche eateries and exclusive entertainment venues, it does not come as a surprise that homeowners are looking to take root in this area.
Once you have found the right property in the Haringey area, you can easily turn it into your dream home with a contemporary refurbishment that works for the way you and your family live. Whether you have just bought a home here or you are looking to renovate an existing space, it is important to know when you need planning permission. Here is everything you need to know about extending, renovating and modifying a home in Haringey.
Haringey is an area that offers both new, contemporary homes and historic buildings with plenty of character. Because of this variety, there is no “one-formula-fits-all” solution that allows you to know whether your home’s project needs planning permission or not.
However, generally, if you wish to build a new architectural structure, modify the appearance of a building, or convert it to a different use, you will likely need to obtain consent.
If you live in a home that is not a listed building and is not located in a Conservation Area, you are more likely to be allowed to complete minor alterations such as changing doors and windows without planning permission. Generally, if it is a minor alteration that falls within the category of “permitted development”, you will not require permission to make changes.
Nonetheless, if you are unsure about the requirements you need to meet, it is always recommended to speak to or consult the local planning authority (LPA).
Planning permission and regulations in Haringey have been put in place to preserve the beauty of the area and the distinct, individual character of the buildings. However, having to file the paperwork can, admittedly, be an involved, time consuming process.
You should check whether you need planning permission before getting started with your home extension or renovation to avoid any delays. As we have seen, the consent you need to obtain varies depending on the nature of the building and your project. However, here are some of the most common alterations and the necessary permission for them.
If you live in a maisonette or flat within a bigger building, you are likely to need planning permission for most alterations. Indeed, just to change window frames or doors, you will need to get the approval from the Haringey Local Planning Authority (LPA). This is to preserve the character of the building and maintain a uniform, harmonious look.
If you are planning to convert a building from residential to commercial or vice-versa, you might need to gain the necessary permissions to do so. Even if you wish to change the use of a particular area of your home, you must consider consulting an expert. You might also need additional consent if you wish to add signage to the building’s facade.
If your home or property is located within a Conservation area in Haringey, you might also need to refer to Article 4 Direction. Alongside the instances seen above, buildings in conservation areas can rarely be extended or renovated without permission. In this case, it is essential that you consult your LPA to find out what documents need to be submitted.
Similarly, if you need to carry out tree works or building works in the vicinity of a protected tree, you will need the relevant permission, and you might be required to submit a valid justification for your work.
Listed Buildings are a crucial part of the architectural and historical heritage of the UK. There are over 500,000 Grade I, Grade II and Grade II* listed buildings across the country, and each of them is of special importance. If your property is a listed building, you are likely to enjoy a home that is rich with history and unique detail. Nonetheless, when you wish to carry out external alterations, you will need planning permission as well as Listed Building Consent to make sure that the original architecture of the building is respected.
Unlike non-listed buildings, internal changes to the listed building’s existing fabric also require the council’s permission referred to as Listed Building Consent. In this case, you will need to find professional support and submit your request to your LPA. A Heritage statement including a description of the current building and an assessment of its significance, a list of materials you will use, and a work schedule are all important aspects to include.
Building alterations and extensions are classified in different categories, depending on how these influence the building’s purpose and aesthetics. For minor alterations, you might not need to ask for permission at all. As mentioned, you can ensure that you don’t need permission by checking what belongs to “permitted development”.
This is a list of small works that won’t impact the inherent character of the building or related landscape, and can be carried out in most houses that are not listed or in a conservation area.
When you plan to carry out work under permitted development rules it is recommended that you obtain a Certificate of Lawful Development. This document proves that you have consulted the LPA and you are carrying out lawful work. You might consider getting this written certification even for minor alterations that are considered permitted development. Indeed, if you wish to sell the house, it is good practice to pass this certification on to new owners.
Whether you need planning permission or not, you might still need to get your project approved by Building Control to confirm that the work complies with Building Regulations. We know it can be challenging navigating the paperwork and understanding the steps needed to carry out properly lawful work, so it’s always best to consider speaking to us first so we can be your first point of contact and guide you through the process. Your local planning authority in Haringey can also help you get the necessary documents and paperwork in place.