Planning permission is not normally
required. However, permission is required
where you extend or alter the roof space and
it exceeds specified limits and conditions.
Under new regulations that came into effect
from 1 October 2008 a loft conversion for
your home is considered to be permitted
development, not requiring an application
for planning permission, subject to the
following limits and conditions:
-
A volume allowance of 40 cubic
metres for terraced house
-
A volume allowance of 50 cubic metres for detached and
semi-detached houses.
-
No extension beyond the plane of the
existing roof slope of the principal
elevation that fronts the highway.
-
No extension to be higher than the
highest part of the roof.
-
Materials to be similar in
appearance to the existing house.
-
No verandas, balconies or raised
platforms.
-
Side-facing windows to be
obscure-glazed; any opening to be
1.7m above the floor.
-
Roof extensions not to be permitted
development in designated areas*.
-
Roof extensions, apart from hip to
gable ones, to be set back, as far
as practicable, at least 20cm from
the eaves.
*Designated areas include national parks and
the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural
Beauty, conservation areas and World
Heritage Sites.
B
uilding
regulations
The Building
Regulations are made under
powers provided in the Building
Act 1984, and apply in England
and Wales. The current edition
of the regulations is ‘The
Building Regulations 2000’ (as
amended) and the majority of
building projects are required
to comply with them. They exist
to ensure the health and safety
of people in and around all
types of buildings
(i.e. domestic, commercial and
industrial). They also provide
for energy conservation, and
access to and use of buildings
It is important to understand
how the building regulatory
system applies to your situation
as you are responsible for
making sure that the work
complies with the regulations if
you are carrying out building
work personally. If you are
employing a builder, the
responsibility will usually be
theirs - but you should confirm
this at the very beginning, we
at Court Home Extensions it
appointed the works contract
take full responsibility. You
should also bear in mind that if
you are the owner of the
building, it is ultimately you
who may be served with an
enforcement notice if the work
does not comply with the
regulations.
Building regulations approval is
required to convert all lofts or attics into
a live-able space
