NEW PLANNING RULES from 1
Oct 2008
Permitted Development
A planning
application is not normally required for loft conversions. Most can be carried
out as ‘Permitted Development’ subject to complying with the rules below.
The new rules are
similar to the previous regime. As before,
dormers are generally permitted to the rear, but not to the front.
However, the rules are now more relaxed about side dormers, unless the side of
your house happens to face a highway.
Conversions with
just skylight roof windows shouldn’t be a problem, as they don’t extend ‘beyond
the plane of the existing roof slope’. But converting hipped side roofs to
gables is a material alteration that still requires planning consent.
The main grey areas concern how exactly you define the terms ‘ principle
elevation’ and ‘as far as practicable’ – see below.
If your design doesn't meet the following rules, you can of
course apply for planning permission.
Position
No dormers (or
other roof extensions) are permitted to the front. This applies where the front
of the house is “the principal
elevation that fronts the highway”.
Size
If you’re just
adding skylights to your roof, there will be no increase in the size. Dormers
(and other roof extensions) are still subject to the same generous volume
limits. So unless your house already has a roof extension that’s eaten up this
allowance, it should easily comply:-
40 cubic metres for terraced houses
50 cubic metres for detached and semi-detached
houses.
In
terms of height no dormer (or other roof extension) must be taller than the
highest part of the existing roof.
Design
Dormers must be set back at least 200mm from
the eaves, as far as practicable.
Materials should be similar in appearance to the existing
house.
No balconies, verandas or
raised platforms – including roof windws with ‘fold-out balconies’
Windows - side-facing windows to be
obscure-glazed.
-
any openings must be 1.7m above floor level.
CONSERVATION
AREAS (and
other ‘designated land’*)
Dormers and other roof extensions are not permitted
LISTED BUILDINGS
None permitted - but you only need make a single application for Listed
Building Consent
EXTENSIONS & CONSERVATORIES click here
* "original house" = as it
was first built or as it stood on 1 July 1948
* Designated land includes
national parks and the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, conservation
areas and World Heritage Sites.
Click here to see new planning rules demonstrated live' on the interactive house
