(PG) Planning Guidance : House Extension & Alteration Design Guide

NB: This consultation is closed.

Previous Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) on the same subject supported the West Lothian Local Plan (now superseded) but guidance now requires to be replaced as the new West Lothian Local Development Plan (LDP) was adopted in September 2018.

This guidance sets out matters which householders should take into account when proposing to alter or extend their property and submit a planning application. This includes the size and extent of proposed house extensions, impact on neighbouring properties, design and materials. It seeks to promote high quality design and which also respects the rights and interests of neighbours.

Planning Guidance (PG) is produced by the council in order to explain how particular development plan policies should be applied in practice. The PG explicitly supports policies DES 1 (Design Principles) of the adopted LDP which seek to ensure that all development proposals take account of and be integrated with the local context and built form and will have no significant adverse impact on the amenity of adjacent properties.

When approved the guidance will be a material consideration which the council will have regard to when it considers applications for planning permission for house extension and alterations, although as individual site characteristics must also be considered, and each case is different, compliance with the guidance will not in itself guarantee that planning permission would be granted.