Herald - Issue 425

Page 60 • The HERALD • 23rd June 2022 v THE HERALD - SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES v ASK A PROFESSIONAL Sanders Design S E R V I C E S L T D BUILDING PLANS AND DETAILED DRAWING SERVICE Complete professional service for extensions, conversions, new houses and commercial projects • Computer Aided Design Drawings • Free Initial Visit and Quotation 95 Cedar Road, Hythe, Southampton SO45 3PX Tel: 023 8020 7195 Email: info@sandersdesignservices.co.uk Web: www.sandersdesignservices.co.uk FORGOT SOMETHING? DON’T LET IT BE YOUR PASSWORD by Action Fraud 23 million users used 123456 as a password! Whether it’s your Facebook, Amazon, or Net ix account, the explosion in popularity of online apps and services means more and more of us have to remember an increasingly long list of passwords. Unfortunately, some of us cope with this challenge by resorting to practices that leave our data, devices and money at risk - by using the same password across multiple accounts, or by creating simple passwords that could easily be guessed by hackers. Bad password practice is more prevalent than you might think - the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre carried out analysis of passwords leaked in data breaches and found that more than 23 million users worldwide used 123456 as a password. You can read more about it here: www.ncsc.gov.uk/news/most-hacked- passwords-revealed-as-uk-cyber- survey-exposes-gaps-in-online-security Here are some top tips that will make your life easier and your online accounts more secure: 1: Creating memorable passwords A good way to create strong, memorable passwords is by using 3 random words. But remember; don’t use words that can be guessed (like your pet’s name). You can include numbers and symbols if you need to. For example, ‘RedPantsTree4!’ 2: Saving passwords in your browser Saving your password in your browser means letting your web browser (such as Chrome, Safari or Edge) remember your password for you. is can help: • make sure you do not lose or forget your passwords • protect you against some cyber crime, such as fake websites It is safer than using weak passwords, or using the same password in more than one place. Here are some useful links on how you can start saving passwords in your browser: Google Chrome : https://s-url.co/- BMAAA Microsoft Edge : https://s-url.co/- RMAAA Firefox : https://s-url.co/-hMAAA Safari : https://s-url.co/-xMAAA 3: Email account passwords If a hacker gets into your email account, they could: • reset your other online account passwords • access personal information you have saved about yourself or your business Your email password should be strong and di erent to all your other passwords. is will make it harder to crack or guess. Need help changing your email account password? You can use these links to nd step by step instructions: Gmail: https://s-url.co/_BMAAA Yahoo! Mail: https://s-url.co/_ RMAAA Outlook: https://s-url.co/_hMAAA BT: https://s-url.co/_xMAAA AOL Mail: https://s-url.co/ABQAAA For more of the government’s latest advice on how to stay secure online, visit the Cyber Aware website: www. ncsc.gov.uk/cyberaware subject to the following limits: • A volume allowance of 40 cubic metres for terraced houses. • A volume allowance of 50 cubic metres for detached and semi-detached houses. • No extension beyond the plane of the existing roof slope of the principal elevation that fronts the highway. • No extension to be higher than the highest part of the roof. • Materials to be similar in appearance to the existing house. • No verandas, balconies or raised platforms. • Side-facing windows to be obscure- glazed; any opening to be 1.7 metres above the oor. • Roof extensions are not to be permitted development in designated areas. • Roof extensions (excluding hip to gable) must be set back as far as practicable, at least 20 centimetres from the eaves. According to these conditions and depending on the location and scope of your project, several conversion types do not require planning permission. Many dormer conversions extend vertically from existing roof slopes, and a hip to gable extension straightens the sloping side of a roof to create a wall. Neither type of lo conversion require any dramatic changes to roof structure, meaning that both can typically qualify for permitted development. e same goes for Velux window conversions, which can also be built under a Certi cate of Lawfulness. is certi cate means that, as long as you build within the council’s guidelines, you do not need to wait for the application to be approved before work commences. How Can You Ensure You Have The Correct Type of Permission? It is worth noting that permitted development rules may not apply to designated restricted areas or listed buildings and do not apply to converted houses, ats or maisonettes. Some types of lo conversion, such as a piggyback extension or some Mansard loft conversions, will also require planning permission. Although some works do not require planning approval, we recommend applying for a Certi cate of Lawful Development (CLD) to prove that your development complies with regulations. Acquiring this certi cation could take up to 10 weeks, but permitted development is cheaper and quicker than securing planning permission. Plus, embarking on a lo conversion project is far more cost- e ective than moving house to gain that crucial additional living space. Every project has di erent speci cations and requirements, and there are other building regulations to consider, including the Party Wall Act. So, it is always wise to seek the advice of an experienced architect or builder to ascertain what permission is needed and submit the relevant applications on your behalf to obtain the correct approval. Will You Need Planning Permission For Your Loft Conversion? by Rich Conlin, Director at The Loft Room (the-loftroom.com ) When you decide you would like to convert your lo into a new bedroom or living space, you will inevitably face considerations relating to planning permission. Fortunately, many loft conversion projects fall under permitted development regulations and do not require homeowners to submit a planning application. However, failing to secure the proper lo conversion permissions before your renovation project begins could lead to complications down the line. For example, if you do not get planning consent for a project that would require it, you could be served an ‘enforcement notice’ ordering you to undo all the changes you have made. So, it is vital to ensure you gain the necessary permissions for a lo extension from your local council before you get to work. What is planning permission? Planning permission exists to minimise disruption, protect attractive landscapes, historic buildings, and interesting wildlife and control the spread of towns and villages into the countryside. Local planning authorities (LPA) enforce planning regulations, which apply to any construction work requiring a signi cant change to a building or construction of a new structure. Your LPA will determine whether or not your lo conversion project can go ahead based on its development plan and various other practical factors. Planning committees consider the external appearance of your building, available infrastructure and how the development would impact the surrounding area. A decision is usually reached within eight weeks followed by a two week validation period, but this could take up to 13 weeks for unusually large or complex applications. If the council rejects your application, there is the option to appeal. Developers can appeal against many di erent factors, such as challenging a planning refusal, objecting to proposed planning conditions or disagreeing with the requirements of an enforcement notice. e appeals process could take several months to conclude but could lead to a positive result. Alternatively, permitted development rules are more generally more relaxed. Permitted development rights derive from general planning permission granted by the government that exempts many types of lo conversion from requiring planning permission — provided they conform to revised rules set out under the national legislation for permitted development. What types of loft fall under permitted development? e details laid out in the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 state that a lo modi cation falls under permitted development rights