Is planning permission required

Wayno

Wayno

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Wayne
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I'm starting to put a plan (prices ect) together on converting my loft, i love DIY so will be doing myself along with some help.

The loft will be boarded out, loft ladder, plastered, lights/electric,and hopfully a window or two. Its a meduim sized loft and will not be used as bedroom but more of storage/my new office :)


will i need planning permission for this? if i do how much does that cost?


thanks inadvance
 
For loft converting, I think it needs a safty check? to ensure it has correct fire escapes etc...

I may be wrong on this though
 
If you plan on installing a fixed staircase then yes, you will need permission.

If access is via a temporary or loft ladder then you dont.

Plus, as long as you do the conversion safely, who's gonna know ? .... :shrug:
 
As Robw said, but if you put windows in and they overlook somebody they might complain and its true about the stairs fixed stairs need planning unfixed ones dont.

also when you sell they house you cant sell it as an extra bedroom if not got planning permission but can sell it as useable loftspace.

also each area is different in planning laws.

this is just what i have been told when researching the same thing.
 
just dont go cutting all those bits of wood out that are in the way .;)
 
The planning rules about loft conversions changed very recently. It is now much easier and it is likely that you will not need permission, because it is now classed as permitted development. There are a few caveats though. There are some rules about positioning of windows - I'm not sure if it is local or national policy, but round us it must not be possible to see through the roof - ie no velux windows opposite each other.
I also assume that you are not listed or in a conservation area, national park or section 4 area - because different rules apply then. Also if PD rights were removed as part of some prior permission (common in national parks)
You will need building regs - the main points will be fire protection/alarms/escape and insulation.

Your best bet is to talk to the planning department. But read these first:

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/genpub/en/1115315235153.html

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/uksi_20082362_en_1
 
Call Chester council's building regs team, I've had a few conversations with them and they are brilliant tbh.

They might even come out free of charge and have a look at the proposed development with you and give you step by step advice.
 
You don't need planning permission but you should have building regulation approval.

My darkroom is in my loft. I didn't bother with getting approval though as it's still just a loft space
which needs a normal loft ladder to access. If I put a fixed staircase in, that would be a different matter.

I didn't put in any windows either as they tend to let the dark out. I do not consider my loft to have changed to a habitual space.


Steve.
 
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my mate got his done last year and only needed building regs and the same was also applicable for when i got my garage converted last april.
i think it cost around £220
 
Thanks for the feedback so far guys, i`ve just got another little problem that someone may be able to answer.

As you can see in the photo there is a beam running one side to another this is aprox 5ft so obv will need to go, Obv though i dont just wanna whip of the old saw.
Does anyone know what the beam is called and what would be a fix solution?


IMG_0003-3.jpg
 
Please dont remove anything unless a building regs man has said its ok.

please please please ask a specialist.
 
That's a collar tie beam. My roof has three of them, or rather, it had three of them. I removed the middle one.

I strengthened all of the roof joists by putting in extra horizontal beams at the top and vertical beams at the sides giving a square shape with the top two corners cut off. These have two functions: Added rigidity to the roof structure and something to fix plasterboard to.

I actually only used plasterboard on the vertical sides. The horizontal top and 45 degree sides were boarded out with floorboards which my brother removed from an old school he was working on which was being converted to flats.

Another important thing to consider is ventilation. If you are going to put insulation in between the felt and your interior cover (assuming plasterboard) only insulate to half the roof joist thickness to allow air to circulate. This prevents moisture from collecting and rotting the joists.

This web page shows an attic truss as used in new build: http://www.apmbuildings.com/attic-storage-truss.shtml

It is what I created by adding the horizontal and vertical pieces to my existing joists.

How many of these collar ties do you have? It looks like you could create a decent space without removing that one. You don't have to use the full width of the house. As I said, I only removed one of three collar ties so I now have a 10' long room within a 24' wide roof. The two remaining collar ties became part of the end walls. There is a space of about 7' at each end, one of which houses the cold water and heating header tanks.



Steve.
 
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were looking into having ours converted , we already have the fire escape/window, we have it boared but it needs redoing so that it would hold a bedroom (stronger boards i presume) .

Yes please dont just be choping beams out , there there for a reason
 
jolsterj said:
Please dont remove anything unless a building regs man has said its ok.

please please please ask a specialist.
Click to expand...

Nothing is getting moved until i'm 100% that it can be, thanks for comment

Steve Smith said:
That's a collar tie beam. My roof has three of them, or rather, it had three of them. I removed the middle one.

I strengthened all of the roof joists by putting in extra horizontal beams at the top and vertical beams at the sides giving a square shape with the top two corners cut off. These have two functions: Added rigidity to the roof structure and something to fix plasterboard to.

I actually only used plasterboard only on the vertical sides. The horizontal top and 45 degree sides were boarded out with floorboards which my brother removed from an old school he was working on which was being converted to flats.

Another important thing to consider is ventilation. If you are going to put insulation in between the felt and your interior cover (assuming plasterboard) only insulate to half the roof joist thickness to allow air to circulate. This prevents moisture from collecting and rotting the joists.


Steve.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that steve, i have 2 of them collar tie beam's but both are really in the way, if they cant be moved there is no point doing my loft :'(
I will look into getting someone to inspect the loft.
 
Please please please ask this question of the appropriate authorities. It's no good saying, at a later date, "I asked around on an intarwebby forum :shrug: "
 
You will only need planning if you are adding a window into the roof, which you are.

Planning deals with the external aspect of the building mostly, how it is seen from the outside. That's what Planning Officer are worried about most.

You will also need building regulations, to comply with:-

Fire (you'll need a 30 min fire door)
Ladder (proper gradient)
Fire escape (max height window sill)
Insulation
Load bearing

So, my advise is that go to an Architect.

If you don't do the above, a few things will/might happen.

When it comes to the sale, you won't be able to prove the roof space has the correct paperwork (building reg, planning), you'll end up putting it back the way it was, at your costs. If can get retrospective planning but it is much harder and with building reg, they'll rip up the boards so they can check whats underneath.

If there happens to be a fire, i will bet that your insurance won't pay due to the non-compliance to building reg, if god forbid, someone dies in that room, can you live with it? Not to mention the possible charges it might be brought by the police.
 
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