Making alterations and improvements
Making alterations and improvements
(This page is for homeowners and shared-owners. If you rent your home go here.)
If your property was originally bought from the council or us (even if this was before you bought it), you’ll need to request our written permission to make alterations or improvements that will change the appearance or structure of your property (including changes you have made in the past). This includes things like:
- Replacing doors and windows
- Installing a driveway
- Building or removing any walls
- Adding extensions, porches and conservatories
- Painting or cladding the outside walls
How to make your request
To make a request please email or write to us and include the following:
- Your full name, address, email address and phone number(s)
- A description of what you want to do
- Any plans, drawings and specifications
You must request permission before you start the work.
If you own your home, live in Letchworth and your change will require approval by the Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation (LGCHF), please download and complete an External Alterations – Application Form from the LGCHF website but send this to us first with the above information.
Costs
The charge for permission is £100 per request, unless it’s a large change (see below), in which case it’s £300.
If you make the request after carrying out the work, the charge is £250, or £450 for large changes.
Large changes
Includes things like:
- Erecting any solid (brick or block) building like a new house, garage or outbuilding
- Any type of extension – front, back, side, or porch
- Loft conversion
- Internal structural changes like removing or creating solid internal walls
What we’ll do and when
Once we’ve received your request, we’ll respond in 10 working days.
You’ll receive a letter from us confirming that we’ve received your request, how you can make your payment and what will happen next.