Planning Permission for Loft Conversions in London 2026

Do You Need Planning Permission for a Loft Conversion in London?

Please note that is article is a guide and not a substitute for talking to an expert!

Most loft conversions in London do NOT require planning permission if they meet permitted development rules.

However, you DO need planning permission if:

• Your property is in a conservation area
• Your property is listed building
• You’re a flat/maisonette owner – as all flats require permission
• You exceed volume limits (40m³ for terraced, 50m³ for semi/detached)
• You’re planning on doing a Mansard conversion – these almost always need permission
• The property has already used permitted development rights

Not checking if you need planning permission would be like crossing the road without looking. A loft conversion build without planning permission when it should have been obtained could be at risk of demolishment enforcement action.

Lawful Development Certificates

Even if you don’t need planning permission, it’s highly recommended to get a Lawful Development Certificate (LDC):

Building Regulations Approval (Required for ALL Conversions)

Building Regulations approval is different from planning permission and is required for ALL loft conversions, even permitted development. We can manage this for you – make sure to bring it up when discussing your free quote.

Party Wall Agreements

If you share a wall with neighbours, which is very common in terraced London houses, you very likely need a Party Wall Agreement. Without such an agreement, your neighbour can take legal action and stop your works from being carried out. We recommend starting the process 2 months before work begins – and yes, we can absolutely help you with that.

SimplyEasy Refurbs: Handling Planning & Paperwork for You

At SimplyEasy Refurbs, we handle all the paperwork for you:

• Free consultation to check if you need planning permission

• Full planning application support (if required)

• Lawful Development Certificate applications

• Building Regulations approval management

• Party Wall Agreement coordination

• 24/7 project management throughout the process

How do I get this ball rolling?

1. Contact our team for a free quote.

2. We’ll check if you need planning permission for your property

3. We can handle all the paperwork and get approvals for you

Don’t risk building without proper permissions.