As of October 2008 the planning laws in England and Wales were changed to allow for certain types of development to proceed without the need to obtain planning permission. Most London loft conversions do not now require planning permission so long as the volume being added by the dormer, mansard or hip-to-gable is less than 40 cubic metres for terraced properties or 50 cubic metres for semi-detached and detached properties. This is called your ‘permitted development’ allowance. Most properties have permitted development unless:
- You live in a conservation area
- Your property is a listed building
- You live in a flat (whether purpose built or converted)
- Your loft conversion would be clearly visible from a public highway
The new laws are particularly helpful if you require a hip to gable loft conversion as most councils previously would not allow this type of change to the roof, although it would now be allowed under your permitted development.
As you would expect, most planning departments have yet to get fully up to speed on the new laws so it is to be expected that conflicting advice will be given by the different local authorities. We have already helped some of our clients to achieve bigger loft conversions in London applying the new laws by having our in-house architect and planning consultant make representations to the planners. Yet another way in which Landmark Lofts is continuing to raise the benchmark!
Tags: Planning Permission
