House Extensions and Alterations - Wigan Council

WIGANLOCALDEVELOPMENTFRAMEWORKHouse Extensions SPDWigan CouncilLDFTWOCommon Forms ofExtension2.1 The following section gives designadvice on specific types of householderdevelopments.2.2 While each planning application isdecided on its own merits, theReplacement Unitary Development Plan,the forthcoming Local DevelopmentFramework and the guidance set out inthis document will form the basis for alldecisions on householder applications.2.3 For the purpose of this guide an'habitable room' is any room used orintended to be used for sleeping, living oreating purposes. This excludes kitchenswith no eating spaces, pantries, bath ortoilet facilities, service rooms, corridors,laundries, hallways, utility rooms or similarspaces.Rear Extensions and Alterations(including conservatories)2.4 Development to the rear of adwelling is often the most practical way inincreasing the size of a dwelling and itsliving space. Rear extensions often havelittle or no impact on a street scene butcan have an adverse affect on thecharacter of the area in general and theamenity of a neighbouring dwelling interms of inappropriate materials,inappropriate architectural styles,overshadowing, over dominance, loss ofprivacy, loss of daylight and sunlight.2.5 The "tunnel effect" should beavoided. This is created when a rearextension, particularly two storey is addedto a dwelling when a rear projectionalready exists on a neighbouring dwelling.This creates a tunnel between the twoextensions and consequently has anadverse affect on resident's privateamenity space in terms of overshadowingand wind conditions.Creating the 'tunnel effect' can affect aneighbours residential amenity2.6 Due to development pressures inrecent years there has been a significantreduction in the size of private gardenspace. Private garden space allows forpersonalisation and outdoor recreational4