6th April 2010 also marked the commencement of the Town and Country Planning (Permitted Development) (Amendment) (England) Order 2010 which extends permitted development rights for non commercial buildings.
In relation to shops, catering, financial or professional service establishments, and office buildings, alterations and extensions to these establishments are now permitted up to 50 square metres provided the extension does not exceed 25% of the existing floor space. These extensions are however subject to various limitations including height, use and closeness to boundaries and "alterations" do no permit changes to shop fronts.
In relation to schools, colleges, universities and hospitals, alterations and extensions are permitted up to 100 square metres provided the extension does not exceed 25% of the original buildings. These alterations and extensions are also subject to various limitations including height, use and closeness to boundaries.
In relation to industrial or warehouse buildings, alterations and extensions are permitted up to 100 square metres together with the ability to construct one new building of up to 100 square metres within the curtilage of an existing industrial or warehouse building. As with shops and offices, there are limitations as to height, use and location of these extensions and new buildings.
One word of caution is that local authorities may remove these and other permitted development rights by making an "Article 4" Direction.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.