Loft Conversions: a Guide to Planning Permission

A loft conversion is a cost-effective way of increasing the living space in your home, but it’s important to make sure that any conversion project complies with current planning permission rules.

The good news is that since October 2008 most domestic loft conversions are classed as permitted development, which means that planning permission is not required if the work conforms to these limits and conditions:

A volume allowance of 40 cubic metres for terraced houses.
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, apart from hip to gable ones, to be set back, as far as practicable, at least 20cm from the eaves.

As with most rules, there are some exceptions. If your home is in a listed building, is a flat or maisonette, or is situated in a conservation area, national park or one of several other designated areas, it could be subject to further conditions and planning permission might be required.

Unless you are certain that you won’t need planning permission to convert your loft it’s always best to check with your Local Authority before you begin any work. If you go ahead with a loft conversion that infringes any rule, you can be required to alter it or even restore the loft to its original state.

Where planning permission is needed you will have to supply detailed plans of the proposed loft conversion along with the necessary forms and a fee. If permission is not granted you can submit a revised plan or appeal against the decision, but taking expert advice to increase your chance of being granted permission with the first application is obviously the best option.

Find a local specialist loft conversion company that offers a free, no obligation consultation service. They will be familiar with all the planning permission rules in your area and will either ensure that the design you want conforms to the permitted development guidelines or, if planning permission is required, they will provide the plans and even deal with the application for you.


Bespoke Lofts Ltd is an Essex based, family run company with over 20 years experience offering all types of expert quality loft conversions, house extensions and garage conversions. For more information call 0800 783 9456 or visit: http://www.bespokelofts.co.uk/

How to Extend your Home

If you need more living space, extending your current home could be an easier option than coping with the upheaval of moving to a bigger property. Compared with all the costs of moving, an extension might not be as expensive as you think, and it will add value to your home if you do decide to sell in the future.

Depending on the layout and position of your house, there could be scope for more than one type of extension. Take a good look at all the possibilities to find the one that will best suit your needs.

Loft Conversion
How much unused space do you have overhead? An extra en suite bedroom or study will easily fit into the loft of most houses and bungalows. A well-designed loft conversion can be surprisingly light and airy and is the perfect choice if you don’t want to give up any of your garden.

The amount of work needed will vary depending on the structure of the roof and design of the conversion, but the whole project from design to completion courtesy of a specialist loft conversion company can take as little as 6 – 7 weeks.

House Extension
If there is enough space available at the rear or side of your house you might prefer to have a one or two storey extension built on to it. If you want another bedroom, second bathroom, dining room, children’s playroom or even a self-contained granny flat, this type of extension is very adaptable. Whatever you use it for, a skilfully built extension should blend seamlessly into the original building when viewed from the outside or inside.

Garage Conversion
Converting an existing garage can be a very cost effective way of providing extra ground floor living space, especially if your garage would otherwise only be used for storing junk! An integral or attached garage can be used to enlarge existing rooms – for example, turning a small kitchen into a spacious kitchen/ diner – or to create one or two new rooms.

A converted detached garage is ideal to use as a home office away from all the distractions of family life. It would also make a wonderful artist’s studio, music or games room.

If you want to extend your home but are not sure if your ideas are practical, ask a specialist extension company that offers free, no obligation consultations and detailed, written quotations. An expert who is experienced in working on all kinds of extensions will be able to suggest the best ways of using the available space and explain exactly what will be involved.

Bespoke Lofts Ltd is an Essex based, family run company with over 20 years experience offering all types of expert quality loft conversions, house extensions and garage conversions. For more information call 0800 783 9456 or visit: http://www.bespokelofts.co.uk/