Since most loft conversions in London don’t need planning permission, allowing work to be started quite swiftly. The only times planning permission may be needed are:

- If the property is terraced and the extension exceeds 40 cubic metres (50 on non-terraced houses)
- If the property is on the junction of two public highways
- If the property is in a conservation area, is a listed building or in an area of outstanding natural beauty
- If the property is a flat (whether custom built as a flat or converted)

Provided planning permission is granted, the next stage is to prepare more detailed structural plans and submit them to the Local Authority Building Control department or an independent building control officer.

Where clients provide their own drawings that are not adequate, the project can be held up by queries from the building control officer. Landmark Lofts have our own architects, who draw up detailed plans and specifications which meet current regulations. This ensures the project can proceed smoothly in the vast majority of cases.

Once the building control department have received the plans, a Statutory Commencement Notice is issued, allowing work to proceed. Along with this, waste disposal and skip permits are obtained, if necessary.

There are many things to consider before undertaking loft conversions in London. For example, disposing of waste and delivery of materials can be very complex if you live on a red route, a narrow street or on a bus route. We are highly experienced at handling almost any imaginable difficulty involved with loft conversions so leave your project in the hands of professionsals and contact Landmark Lofts today.

As you can see, loft conversions in London are not to be undertaken lightly. Luckily, at Landmark Lofts we are up to the task of creating a beautiful extension to your home that will meet or exceed current design regulations.

Many contractors undertaking loft conversions in London rely on the home owner to lay down the groundwork by providing architect drawings and planning permission. However, at Landmark Lofts we professionally manage the project throughout, from its very inception through to decoration and cleaning.

The first thing we do is talk to you about what the conversion will be used for; for example, do you want a simple attic playroom or a large master bedroom with en-suite bathroom? We then discuss the various options available, and get our architects to draw up the plans.

The majority of loft conversions in London do not require planning permission. However, the same is not true of building regulations. Planning regulations and Building regulations are not the same – and this is where many people attempting attic conversions in London come unstuck.

Unlike planning applications, submissions for Building Regulations approval are not made public – but this doesn’t mean they can be ignored. Loft conversions in London normally involve the creation of a permanent living space – and thus are subject to building regulations.

Unlike an extension, you do not need to worry about new foundations for attic conversions in London. However, it must still be structurally safe, energy efficient, and have a low fire risk. It must also have adequate ventilation and sufficient headroom – all of which must be made clear on the plans.

We pride ourselves that every loft conversion in London we do meets and often exceeds the most stringent building regulations – offering complete peace of mind to the householder.

When we at Landmark Lofts are approached about an attic conversion in London it’s important we sit down and discuss with the customer exactly what the project involves. This may sound obvious, but what the client has in mind may not sit too well with the local council’s planning department. We have huge experience dealing with most planning departments in London so will be able to give you a good idea of what is feasible and what will never be passed.

You will need two different types of permission for any loft conversions in London, both of which are administered by the local authority. As well as building regulations, there are local planning rules to consider. It’s important that, before work is started, your Landmark Lofts conversion isn’t in danger of contravening any of them. As each council has its own development plan, what might be allowed in Putney may not be so good in Pimlico.

Although many loft conversions in London are exempt from planning laws, it’s worth checking with your local authority – especially if you think that you might live in a conservation area. The duty planning officer should be able to tell you whether you have permitted development rights and thus whether you need to obtain planning permission for the work.

Planning permission generally covers the external aspects of the conversion: how it impacts on the rest of the neighbourhood (especially close neighbours), and if its intended use is appropriate for its location.

The first stage of any loft conversion in London is to decide on the type of conversion you want, and draw up the plans. In most cases planning permission is not required, in which case the plans don’t have to be submitted to the Council, but would usually be sent for a certificate of lawfulness approval in any case.

If the conversion is too intrusive, or out of keeping with the area, you could be refused planning permission. This is why we at Landmark Lofts only work with our own in-house architects. They will be able to swiftly see if the customer’s intended conversion will sit well with the local council – before they ever pick up a pencil.