Loft conversions can be built in all types of shapes, sizes, and scales. Whether you will need planning permission drawings for loft conversions in England and Wales, depends on specific factors. Some of these include :
· Your location i.e. areas of natural beauty
· The type of property you wish to convert
· The size of the proposed loft conversion plans plans
· The type of loft conversion design design
Understanding Loft Conversion Permitted Development Rights
In most cases, loft conversions are regarded as permitted development projects. This means that you are not required to obtain formal loft conversion planning permission, as long as the property fulfils some specific conditions.
These include:
· The new additional roof volume should not be larger than 40 cubic metres for terraced properties and 50 cubic metres for semi-detached or detached properties.
· The loft conversion should not extend beyond the existing plane of the property’s front roof slope (known as the principal elevation).
· The loft conversion should not extend higher than the respective highest part of the property’s existing roof.
· The loft conversion design should not include any balconies, verandas, or raised platforms.
· Any side-facing window should be at least 1.7 metres above the ground.
· Any side-facing window should be obscure.
· The property should not be present in designated areas such as, AONBs (Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty), national parks, World Heritage Sites, and conservation areas.
· The roof extension in the project should not overhang the wall of the original property.
Therefore, if you are looking for simple loft conversion plans – such as one involving purely the addition of some roof windows, you would generally not require loft conversion planning permission. A dormer loft conversion design is one featuring a structure extending vertically from the slope of the existing roof. In most cases, you will not require planning permissions for a rear dormer loft conversion.
Planning Permission for Loft Conversions
If you desire a loft conversion design that does not meet the conditions above, you will almost certainly need to apply for loft conversion planning permission from the local authority.
Also, the Permitted Development limits for loft conversion plans in England and Wales, only apply to dwellinghouses, therefore, Householder Planning Permission should be sought for the following:
· Apartments
· Flats
· Converted houses
· Maisonettes
· Houses designed with the permitted development rights for changing use
· Non-dwelling buildings
· Homes in areas having a dedicated planning condition or other limitations for restricting the rights of permitted development
Please note, that whether your project falls under loft conversion permitted development or not, you will be expected to apply for and gain loft conversion building control approval, to ensure that the project is executed safely and meets the ever-increasing thermal performance standards set by the government.
Here at Arkiplan we take some of the stress out of converting your loft by creating your planning drawings, permitted development drawings or building regulations plans and submitting them to the local council for you! You pay the council fee and we liaise with the council until the very end. Get a quote for drawings here.