Planning permission for loft

[Polly D]

Is there any way of finding out whether permission to do a loft conversion might be granted on a house we are interested in buying?

[lameduck]

i believe you do not have to own a property

to apply for planning permission. good luck

[ClareC]

You don't need planning permission, unless the house has already been extended more than a certain percentage.

[ClareC]

You do need a third party wall agreement though so the neighbours need to be supportive!

[red devil]

ClareC Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> You don't need planning permission, unless the

> house has already been extended more than a

> certain percentage.

You can extend parts of a house without formal planning permission, under what is known at Permitted Development rights. It used to be a percentage but now there are specific volume limits for works to roofs - 50m3 for detached and semi-detached houses, and 40m3 for terraced houses. 40m3 is usually enough to enable a good sized rear dormer to be added to the average ED terraced house. There are also other limits to adhere to, e.g. you can build no higher than the highest point of the existing roof. The Gov is currently looking at potential changes to PD rights, so it could all change again in the near future...

[ClareC]

I would recommend talking with one of the reputable loft companies, you could even organise for them to meet you at the house concerned.

I used Marvin Skyers of Skyhigh builders, he has had lots of good feedback on here (I've never seen anything negative)and is very customer focused - I'm sure he would help you (let him know you know me).

Definitely make enquiries as to what the adjoining neighbours are like and maybe even sound them out before you commit.

Good luck

[LondonMix]

Red Devil's post is the only accurate one. While you need a partywall agreement (this is a technical document prepared by structural engineers) your neighbours do not need to be supportive if you are extending under PD rights. A typical ED terraced dormer conversion needs less than 40 cubic meters. If the roof is hipped end of terrace / semi detached, you'll need to convert to a gable in addition to the rear dormer which will use more of your volume allowance.

You need to make sure your loft is suitable for conversion (has enough height). You can search for Southwark Planning Portal to see what has been done on the road (even when converting a loft under PD rights, many choose to get a certificate stating it's lawful from Southwark which helps when selling and you can see their architects plans for the loft and the volume calcs).

Good luck.

[polla2256]

Can't see it as a problem with the current climate. Relaxed planning laws, basement coversion, build in green belts etc

[ClareC]

LondonMix Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Red Devil's post is the only accurate one. While

> you need a partywall agreement (this is a

> technical document prepared by structural

> engineers) your neighbours do not need to be

> supportive if you are extending under PD rights.

> A typical ED terraced dormer conversion needs less

> than 40 cubic meters. If the roof is hipped end of

> terrace / semi detached, you'll need to convert to

> a gable in addition to the rear dormer which will

> use more of your volume allowance.

>

> You need to make sure your loft is suitable for

> conversion (has enough height). You can search

> for Southwark Planning Portal to see what has been

> done on the road (even when converting a loft

> under PD rights, many choose to get a certificate

> stating it's lawful from Southwark which helps

> when selling and you can see their architects

> plans for the loft and the volume calcs).

>

>

> Good luck.

If your neighbours are not supportive the costs of agreeing terms are borne by you and potentially involve up to 3 structural engineers - very expensive and time consuming.

Far easier to check the neighbours are supportive before you commit.

Technically you don't need neighbours consent, if they object there is a hefty cost implication.

[red devil]

Party Wall Awards can be issued by other professionals such as architects and surveyors, not just structural engineers. A lot of surveyors just specialise in PWA's, whereas for architects and engineers it's more of a sideline.

It does make sense to speak to neighbours about your proposals, but I would personally wait until you have bought the property first. The ideal scenario is that they agree to use the same PW surveyor as you, but if they don't, they can employ their own independent PW surveyor, at your cost, and it will cost more than one surveyor. Either way, this shouldn't be a dealbreaker as to whether you buy the property or not...

[LondonMix]

Again agree with red devil. Its more expensive but within the context of total project costs is not that significant if you have to pay for your neighbours party wall surveyor. Within the context of buying a house its peanuts.

[i*Rate]

Polly D,

Just 'phone up Southwark Planning Department and put in some plans of any old monstrosity that you like - as you see they're pretty lenient about what goes up these days. If some cases, people just bang up the conversion, then put in for planning permission afterwards.

Pip, Pip.

[etta166]

Although you can convert a loft under permitted development rights, it is subject to a number of restrictions and will not cover all types of loft conversion. Looking on the Southwark Plannin website is useful, especially for terraces where lots of the houses may have similar conversions already. Local loft companies are another source of useful, if biased, information.

From memory, we could do a dormer loft conversion under permitted development but not a mansard - something to do with raising brick walls...

[LadyDeliah]

This might be useful: http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/commonprojects/loftconversion