immyp

Thanks everyone, you've been a real help. I finally spoke to a Planning person at the local council who confirmed (as have several of you) that planning permission is not required but a certificate of Lawfulness is highly advised. So I'm in the process of applying for that. LondonMix - the property we're buying isn't actually Victorian so it doesn't have a side return, hence just extending the current kitchen. If it did have a side return, you're right, I'd definitely be extending that :)

You are too kind! Thanks so much for providing such helpful and detailed information. Very much appreciated!

Calling anyone who has had or is having any kind of extension work done. I'm looking to have a very simple kitchen extension done in April. Nothing fancy, not even a side-return. Literally knocking down the kitchen wall and extending out into the garden by 2 metres. But before I can go ahead, the builder needs me to confirm 100% whether I need to alert the council and obtain planning permission. As far as I know (which isn't much when it comes to these situations), if you extend out 3m or less and it remains single story, then you don't need planning permission. But even though I've called Southwark Council, I am none the wiser as they just told me to go to a Planning Portal website for details and that was pretty mind boggling, so I'm none the wiser and stressing as time is running out before work can start. So if anyone can give me any useful tips or point me in the right direction on exactly what I need to do planning-wise in order to go ahead with the extension and keep it all above board, I would be hugely grateful! Thank you.

Thanks for all your positive responses. Yes, I think you're right - it's best I just take everything direct to the charity shop. But I don't have a car, hence thinking the charity bag was a good option. But the buggy will be my Charity Chariot! And thanks Jessie for the TRAID tip. That's a great idea, especially for a big clear out. Probably moving next year so that's great to know when there will be a guaranteed huge pile of stuff. Thanks everyone!

Hello. If you're one of those people who likes to do their bit for charity by popping old clothes and bric-a-brac into those charity aid bags that get popped through your letterbox, then listen up. I regularly fill these up and leave the bag outside my door late at night prior to the given collection day. And every morning it's been collected. Which leaves me feeling happy and content that I've done a little bit to help. But to my absolute horror and massive disappointment today, I realised that some scumbag neighbour has in fact been half-inching the bags. Well, last night's bag at least. I left a full bag of good quality clothes, accessories, kids' clothes etc in the bag and noticed it had been collected when I went downstairs this morning. But when I walked down the street around mid morning, I noticed a load of clothes in a pile on a neighbours' wall a few doors down, and as I got nearer, I realised they were in fact MY clothes and belongings from the charity bag! The bag had been nicked, the 'good stuff' had been taken and the unwanted items discarded on the wall and street. Not even put back in the charity bag so the aid collectors at least had something to collect. It's despicable behaviour and horrible to think that whilst some people who get the charity bags through their letterbox see it as a chance to do something good. There are others thinking, 'aha, I'll scour the doorways in the middle of the night and take the donations before the collection people arrive!' So, I'm venting this frustration just so you're aware there is sadly a charity bag thief loose around Wingfield Street/Maxted Road. Has anybody else experienced this? Maybe it's been going on for ages and I've just been oblivious to it. But now I'll think twice about donating via that method. Someone suggested alerting the police which seems a bit heavy-handed, although it is in fact theft. So if it happens again, maybe that's the best option.

Calling all dog lovers! Bit of a long shot, but if anyone can help... My parents are visiting next week with their super cute dog, a miniature poodle/dachshund cross. But as I have two elderly cats, sadly the dog can't stay here as I fear it'll put my cats noses out of joint and prompt them to run off. So if you fancy borrowing an adorable, friendly mutt for a couple of days (and nights), then please let me know asap. It will be from the afternoon of Wed 9th until the morning of Fri 11th July, although he can spend a few hours with us during the day on Thur if that makes it easier. My parents will obviously provide his food, bedding etc and I'm sure they'd be happy to pay a few quid as a thank you too :) I will obviously need some sort of references if possible. If you can help, please get in touch. Many thanks.