Do You Need Planning Permission for a Loft Conversion?

How to Find Out if You Need Planning Permission:

Do you need planning permission for a loft conversion? To check, you will need to have it confirmed by a builder or architect. As a general rule of thumb, you will not usually need to get planning permission if your planned loft conversion adheres to space restrictions. Currently, this is fifty cubic metres of additional space in a semi-detached or detached house, and forty cubic metres in a terrace. 

When Does a Loft Conversion Come Under Permitted Development?

Along with the restrictions on extra space, your loft conversion will usually come under permitted development if the extension meets several other requirements. Your loft conversion should not have a raised platform or balcony, and the side-facing windows should have privacy glazing and be no less than 1.7m above the floor. It should not extend further than the existing roof slope at the front of the property. The materials that you use should be similar in appearance to your home and your house should not be on designated land.

Why Do I Need Planning Permission?

If your loft conversion does not satisfy the above requirements or your home is located on designated land, you will need to put in a planning application. Planning permission is written consent from your local authority to carry out a certain type of building work. It will either be granted, possibly subject to certain conditions being met or refused.

How Long Does Planning Permission Take?

In the event you need to get planning permission to go ahead with your loft conversion, it is important to apply for it as early as possible in the process. This is because planning permission can take a minimum of eight weeks to secure, and there is no guarantee that it will be granted. There are various factors that will impact the length of time that it takes for you to get planning permission including the size of your application and the area that you live in. 

In some loft conversion cases, you may also need to get a Party Wall Agreement, which is an agreement between you and your neighbour to ensure that the work carried out will be fair and will not cause any damage or risk to your neighbour’s property

There are fees for submitting a planning application, which depend on the scope of the work. Check the latest fees on the Planning Portal website.

What Other Building Regulations Affect Loft Conversions?

Regardless of whether or not you will need to get planning permission, your loft conversion will need to meet certain building regulations, which are put in place to ensure that the work done is fire-safe and structurally sound. Fire-resistant doors and smoke alarms will be required, and it is important to ensure that noise between the rooms is sufficiently insulated. 

Any new walls will need to support any new or existing roof structures where the supports have been removed for the conversion, and new floor joists will usually be necessary to support the weight of the new room. 

You will also need to consider adding stairs to the room to provide an escape in the event of a fire; ladders and retractable staircases are usually not sufficient. 

With many different types of loft conversion to choose from, this is a great way to add more space to your home. Before you start, it’s important to know what planning permissions you may need and the regulations you’ll need to meet.

Enhance Your Home with a Loft Conversion Today

To learn more about loft conversions or to discuss your property in more detail, talk to our experienced SimplyEasy Refurbs team today!