Extension to a Cottage in Green Belt Approved by Basildon
Planning permission from Basildon Council for a rear extension to a 19th century cottage in the Metropolitan Green Belt and a conservation area near Billericay, overcoming previously exceeded extension allowances through proportionality arguments and national policy.
BASILDONESSEXGREEN BELT APPROVALSPLANNING APPROVALS
Andrew Ransome
7/18/20262 min read
In 2023, Basildon Borough Council approved planning permission for a rear extension to an attractive 19th century cottage in a rural area between Basildon and Billericay — a site in both the Metropolitan Green Belt and a conservation area.
The extension policy allowances had already been exceeded by previous additions. I overcame this by demonstrating that the proposed extension remained proportionate to the original dwelling and consistent with NPPF guidance on Green Belt extensions.
Household Extension Approved in the Green Belt
I secured planning permission from Basildon Council for a rear extension to a 19th century cottage located in a rural area between Basildon and Billericay.
The site lay within both the Metropolitan Green Belt and a conservation area — two overlapping policy designations that together require a careful approach to any works.
The planning challenge was specific. Basildon's local plan policy BAS GB4 allows dwellings to extend to 90 sq m, or by 35 sq m above the original floor area as at 1 July 1948 — whichever is the greater.
The original dwelling had a gross floor area of approximately 112 sq m but had already been extended over the years to 169 sq m.
This meant the previous additions had already exceeded the policy allowance, and any further extension required a strong justification.
The case I put forward drew on national planning policy amd proportionailty rather than solely relying on local policy compliance.
I engaged directly with the Council, demonstrating through comparative analysis.
Basildon Council accepted the argument and approved the application.
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If you are planning works in the Green Belt, contact me to discuss your project.
Andrew Ransome MRTPI - Email: andrew@andrewransome.co.uk
About me
Andrew Ransome is a Planning Director and a Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), with more than two decades of experience in town planning.
He specialises in delivering strategic planning solutions for complex developments across both rural and urban environments, helping clients navigate planning challenges and unlock development opportunities. Connect with Andrew on Linkedin.
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