Obtaining planning permission for a loft conversion

Most homes don’t require approval to go ahead with a loft conversion – but to avoid any legal or money worries you’re best off to read through the facts first.

Loft conversions rarely require
planning permission

We all know how stressful it can be doing up your home, whether it’s a simple room refurbishment, building an extension or making the best use of wasted space and having your attic turned into something practical; an extra bedroom perhaps, or even a modest living area. Loft conversions are frequently cited as one of the most convenient and desirable home improvements for property owners and as long as they don’t exceed the limits or conditions set out in new Government legislation, they no longer require planning permission either.

There are, however, certain rules to be considered. Since the 1^st October 2008, loft conversions have been considered ‘permitted developments’, which means that they don’t require an application for planning permission. This applies in nearly all homes across the country (excluding flats and apartments) but only as long as the conversion complies with the following guidelines:

• The new building materials should be in a similar style and appearance to the section being replaced, or at least complement the general colour scheme of the surrounding homes and neighbourhood.
• The conversion does not exceed a volume allowance of 40 cubic metres in roof space for terraced housing; or 50 cubic metres for a semi-detached or detached property.
• The conversion doesn’t include any structural additions such as verandas, balconies or raised platforms.
• You don’t extend the plane of the existing roof slope that fronts the main road.
• Side facing windows are glazed with an obscure effect/design and openings are at least 1.7m above floor level.
• The exterior part of the extension (unless of the hip or gable design) must be set back as far as possible from the eaves of the property.

If you are unsure about any of these issues, or aren’t yet certain you will be able to follow all the guidelines as specified; you should consult an architect or loft conversion specialist to come and check your home. Be sure to provide them with any drawings and/or blueprints you have, as these will be helpful in determining space and measurements that could affect the outcome of the inspection. You will also require planning permission if:

• You live in a Listed building
• You live in the boundaries of a National Park, World Heritage Site, Outstanding Area of Natural Beauty or other officially recognised conservation area.
• You are converting the room to anything other than a living space or bedroom i.e. an office or extra bathroom.
• You are converting the space into more than one room.

If you find that you must gain planning permission before getting started, then you will need to get Building Regulations Approval from your Local Authority as well. Basically this involves a member of the Building Control board being sent to your home to inspect the structure and stability of your property, particularly in the loft area. They will also check plans and designs of your new conversion for reassurance on the presence of fire escape routes, safe and practical stairways, proper ventilation and sufficient sound insulation for the floors below and, if necessary, the house next door. The Party Wall Act 1996 lays out specific instructions for home owners regarding the destruction or conversion of an intermediate wall between buildings that belongs to both parties. So make sure to notify your neighbours with details regarding your scheduled construction work and try to reach a compromise regarding the length of the project and when you expect it to be completed.

Applying for planning permission

So if you need it, how exactly do you go about applying for planning permission? Well, you can go the traditional route and fill in paper forms either printed from the Council’s website or obtained directly from the Local Planning Authority but this will take a considerable amount of time. Alternatively you can now fill in the forms online, outlined in quick and easy steps that mean you only have to provide information relevant to your project. If you’re employing a specialist loft conversion company they should be able to obtain planning permission for you; just make sure the service is included in their final quote. If you are doing a bit of DIY, however, you should always hire an architect or Building Surveyor to determine whether or not your conversion will need planning permission. You should receive a reply from the Council within eight to ten weeks of your application being processed – whatever you do, don’t start anything until then! That way your project will run smoothly and efficiently, with no unpleasant interruptions.