Introduction
The Council’s House Extension Design Guide sets out the key principles and standards of design for new domestic extensions in Torbay. This document will help to ensure development is of the highest quality in line with National Planning Policy, Neighbourhood Plans and our Local Plan.
Dormers and two storey extensions
- Reflect or respect the design and scale of the original dwelling.
- Reflect the character of the streetscene and local area.
- Consider the size, scale, form, proportions, materials and detailing.
- Scale and massing of any extension should remain subservient, the original character and form of the dwelling should remain perceptible and be absorbed by the original dwelling.
- A minimum of 300mm set down and set back will be accepted on extensions.
- Two storey flat roof extensions are not considered acceptable due to their poor design, impact on the host dwelling and the streetscene.
Roof extensions, rooflights and alterations
- Proposals to the roof form can upset the symmetry of semi-detached dwellings.
- The visual impact can be limited by reducing the scale of dormers which interrupt the roof plane of an elevation.
- Flat roof dormers should normally be avoided due to scale.
- Rooflights should respect the window positions below.
Terracing effect
- Respect scale/width and should be ‘set down and back.’
- The terracing effect should be avoided.
Scale of extensions
- Extensions should respect the original dwelling. Front extensions have the greatest impact on the original dwelling.
- The extension may be in the form of a gable end protruding out from an existing pitched roof, or a flat roof front extension attached to a well-designed front elevation.
Rear and side extensions
- Extensions should be contained within existing boundaries and side elevations should be blank.
- Two storey rear extensions shall remain subservient and respond well to the overall scale and form of the original dwelling.
- When building to the rear, any extension should follow or be contained within the existing building lines.
- Although this may provide additional internal living space, the built form is not normally in keeping with the character of the original dwelling or the street scene.
