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Planning Permission For Loft Conversions...
Do I need Planning Permission For A Loft Conversion?
For many people, their lofts in their home could be seen as empty and wasted space. Sure, the most common use of any loft space is for storage, usually those things that we only need once in a while (Christmas decorations we are looking at you here) however, you can quickly realise that your loft space can actually be useful. All you need to do is change its purpose.
This is where the idea of a loft conversion comes in. Loft conversions take your existing loft space and transform it into a part of your home that you can use. However, much like other changes that you can make to your home, you need to consider planning permission.
So, with that in mind, let’s take a look at our guide as to whether or not you need planning permission in order to have a loft conversion in your home.
When Is A Loft Conversion Permitted Development?
More often than not, a loft conversion is going to come under the rules of permitted development, which means that you can make the changes that you want to your home, without having to request for planning permission to be approved.
In order for a loft conversion to fall under the rules of permitted development, you will need to ensure that it is not going to be any larger than 40 cubic metres in size if your house is terraced, or 50 cubic metres if your home is semi-detached or detached.
Your loft conversion will also be within permitted development so long as it does not extend beyond the existing roof slope at the front of the house and that it does not extend any higher than the highest part of the existing roof. It should also not overhang the outer wall of your home too.
You are also going to need to make sure that your loft conversion does not include any balconies, verandas or raised platforms. It should also be made with the same materials in appearance as the rest of your home.
Why might I need to apply for planning permission on my loft conversion?
When it comes to your loft conversion you are going to need to make sure that you can identify if there is a chance that you are going to need to apply for planning permission for your loft conversion.
One of the most common reasons for this is that your home is in a certain area. This could be a national park, an area of outstanding natural beauty, a world heritage site or perhaps a conservation area.
It is also important to remember that you are going to need to make sure that you apply for planning permission if you cannot meet any of the requirements that are set out in the permitted development. It may seem like it is an additional part of the process, or that it is a lot of work that you need to do in order to get a loft conversion completed. However, it won’t be helpful to you in the long run if you haven’t organised the right level of permission that you need for your plans to change your home and you have to change everything back, at your own cost.
No matter whether you are covered with permitted development, or you need to apply for permission to have the work carried out on your home. We can promise you that having your loft converted is something that you won’t regret doing.
It will give you the additional space that you need in your home and it will also add value to it too. You can make room for a hobby, for a job change or perhaps for an expanding family, all whilst being able to stay in the home that you are used to and that you love.
When it comes to any form of change, extension or conversion to your existing home, the advice should always be to check with an expert before you start the process. Not only can it be incredibly frustrating to have to put a hold on the work that you have organised, but it can get you into trouble too.
You may even find that you have to reverse the changes, which will leave you back and square one and out of a whole lot of money at the same time. It really is a much better idea to be safe, than to be sorry.
FIXED PRICE ARCHITECTURE LTD
www.fixedpricearchitecture.co.uk
Fixed Price Architecture Limited
282 Leigh Road
Leigh on Sea
Essex
SS9 1BW
0800 464 7001