Planning Permission

Planning permission is concerned with all work that is carried out external to the original house structure. Not all changes to your house need planning permission however, as there are many renovations and amendments that are covered by the rights for ‘Permitted Development’.

For more information relating to loft conversions visit the Government Planning Portal by clicking on the links below:

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Loft Conversion Permitted Development

Not all properties are covered by the rules of permitted development. Properties not covered include those in heritage and conservation areas and areas of outstanding natural beauty. Also, some areas have had their permitted development rights removed by their local authority. For more information please call Absolute Lofts or your local council to see if your loft conversion will be allowed under permitted development or if you need planning permission.

The rules for permitted development, when applied to loft conversions, are briefly set out below:

You cannot have any part of your dwelling exceed the height of the highest part of the existing roof.

No part of your dwelling can, as a result of the works, exceed beyond the plane of any existing roof slope that fronts a highway (highways are an ill-defined term but include all public roads and most footpaths, bridleways and byways).

Your loft cannot expand your dwelling beyond 40 cubic metres in the case of a terraced house, or 50 cubic metres in any other case (eg semi-detached house).

If your planned loft conversion or house extension isn’t covered by permitted development, you will need to apply to the council for planning permission. Absolute Lofts will make all applications to your local council on your behalf. You will have to pay a fee of £230 to the planning department of your local authority.

Click here to read some more useful questions and answers.

Lawful Development Certificates

If your property does not require planning permission, we advise that the proprietor applies for a Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) commonly known as a COL (certificate of Law.

A COL is not a mandatory document you must attain, however it demonstrates that any and all work being built on the property are within its lawful boundaries and do not break any building regulations. A Lawful Development Certificate is also beneficial if you should ever move on and sell your property.

If you should desire an LDC document(COL), Absolute Lofts are happy to make all the appropriate applications to your local council on your behalf. There is also a submission fee for an LDC of £128