We are currently carrying out a lot of work on our house and want to demolish the single storey brick built extension to the side of the property replacing it with a conservatory.  Do I have to get Planning Permission to do this?

In most cases you will not need to apply for Planning Permission to knock down your house/business premises or any of its outbuildings unless the Council has made an Article 4 Direction restricting the demolition or alterations you could normally carry out under  Permitted  Development rules.

If you decide to demolish a building it does not automatically follow that you will get Planning Permission to build any replacement structure or to change the use of the site.  Where demolition of any kind of a residential property is proposed, the Council may wish to agree the details of how you intend to carry out the demolition and how you propose to restore the site afterwards.

Adding a conservatory to your house is considered to be Permitted Development not needing an application for Planning Permission subject to certain limits and conditions.

Demolition is dealt with under the Building Act 1984 and generally requires six weeks’ notice to be given to the Local Authority Building Control before demolition begins.

* Emyr Pierce is Managing Director of Emyr Pierce Solicitors in Rhiwbina, Cardiff, Western Mail Conveyancer of the Year, specialising in Domestic and Commercial Property. Contact www.emyrpierce.co.uk or email law@emyrpierce.co.uk