Side Extension

Adding a side extension to your Garden City home The Design Guide, which is produced, by the Heritage Foundation and North Hertfordshire District Council outlines the key principles.

Side extensions should not:

• Be detrimental to the style of your house, neighbouring properties or the overall character of the location;
• Close up the gap between the existing and neighbouring properties to the extent where a cramped impression results;
• Be built within one metre of the side boundary.

In many cases, the Heritage Foundation's preference is for side extensions to be set back from the front building line of the existing dwelling to create a visual break. The result of this will be a significantly enhanced and more interesting appearance to the local environment.

Properties on corner plots

If your house faces a public highway, to the front and side, the extension should provide a separation of two metres, to the side boundary rather than one metre. This will reduce the visual impact and enable a landscaping area, adjacent to the extension, to be created.

Ground floor extensions with no separation to the side boundary

When such extensions already exist, first floor extensions should provide a separation of at least one metre to the side boundary, to ensure a visual break is retained.

Properties adjacent to open spaces or public footpaths

Provided it is possible to get to the rear of the property by way of the other flank, single and two storey extensions, up to the side boundary, may be possible in these circumstances. However, this will only be admissible if the overall effect on the development does not create a cramped appearance. This is particularly important when there is little or no separation between the side boundary and the public footpath.

Side Extensions effecting garages and parking provision

Throughout the Garden City Estate we emphasis the need to retain front gardens with soft landscaping. If you are considering removing an existing garage or converting it to provide more living space, or thinking about adding or extending a hard standing in your front garden we produce special guidance.