A loft conversion can often be considered permitted development, not requiring an application for planning permission, provided it meets all the necessary criteria and there are no constraints that restrict or remove permitted development rights.
As a guide a loft conversion that meets all of these criteria will not need planning permission providing there are no constraints that limit or remove your permitted development rights:
For loft conversions that are likely to fall within permitted development a lawful development certificate is recommended, so that you know your project is compliant and is protected from any retrospective planning issues, enforcements or penalties.
Ultimately, it is the planning officer assessing your application who will make the legal determination and either approve or reject your application. If your application for a lawful development certificate is rejected then an application for full planning permission would be required.
If there are any hidden constraints that limit or remove your permitted development rights, full planning permission may be required even if your project complies with all the permitted development criteria.
Building regulations approval will likely also be required once planning permission is approved, depending on the extent of the works.
With any development there are always potential planning constraints which are often hidden that can make the simplest of projects into a very complex planning application.
For every type of development there are certain design criteria that must be met in addition to meeting all of the necessary planning policies, which vary between every local planning authority. For example, a loft conversion is something that could potentially be done under permitted development, however if it doesn’t meet even one of the design or planning criteria then full planning permission would be required.
Bear in mind that any previous roof space additions must be included within this volume allowance. Although you may not have created additional space a previous owner may have done so. An extension beyond the plane of the existing roof slope of the principal elevation that fronts a highway is NOT permitted development.
In addition to this, there are many hidden constraints such as article 4 direction, section 106, conservation areas and even just living under a flight path can remove your permitted development rights meaning everything needs full planning approval. This can literally mean there could be two houses in the same town doing the exact same development and one could be built under permitted development while the other needs full planning permission.
In addition, specialist reports may also need to be submitted with all the usual supporting evidence and drawings. Examples of these include heritage statements, flood risk assessments, transport surveys, wildlife reports and many others.
If the building is listed in addition to securing planning approval you will also require listed building consent and building regulations approval before work can commence. Carrying out any works on a listed building without the necessary approvals is a criminal offence.
Even if we believe your project is likely to be considered permitted development, it is always strongly recommended that no work commences until all of the necessary planning and building regulations approvals are secured. Doing so would be at your own risk!
On a daily basis we receive enquiries from clients who have received planning enforcements and been given 28 days to secure planning permission or demolish their development, which is a very costly and stressful situation. 99% of these cases are clients who were sure their development was permitted having either read some info online or been mis-advised by their builder.
In some cases, they could have been permitted with a few minor changes to the design. Sometimes they were permitted at the time of the build but the planning authority have subsequently imposed planning constraints removing their permitted development rights, meaning they now need retrospective planning permission and sometimes it was never going to be permitted development due to the local planning policy.
If you do get it wrong, receive an enforcement and planning can’t be approved retrospectively you would need to put the property back to its original state!
To find out what would be required for your project you have a couple of options. You could submit a formal pre-application to your planning authority with the designs and project brief which your planning authority will respond to indicating what “might be required”. Ultimately the final design and application will determine their decision so the pre-app still does not give you a definitive answer. The process takes 8 weeks and can cost hundreds of pounds excluding any architectural designs.
Alternatively, Studio Charrette who are a partner of the government’s planning portal can conduct a planning appraisal. This involves a chartered planning consultant researching the project to check the relevant planning and design policies, they also check the planning history and look for any hidden constraints. This takes about an hour at which point they can call to advise what would be required and answer any questions. Subsequently we forward the advice in writing.
There are never any guarantees with planning permission or permitted development, because ultimately only your planning authority can make the legal determination. However, with a planning appraisal we can let you know whether your proposed development would be feasible, assuming it is what the best route forward would be and the likelihood of success. As part of the planning appraisal, we can also advise you on building regulations, structural engineering calculations and construction.
Assuming the planning appraisal is positive we can then provide a quote for any services you want help with including architectural design, planning permission, building regulations and construction. Should you decide to instruct Studio Charrette can take care of everything for you from start to finish.
If you have any questions or would like to arrange a planning appraisal for your project, contact us today and a member of our team will contact you shortly.
Regardless whether you need planning permission, prior approval or a lawful development certificate the process and time frames are very similar. Every type of application requires a variety of supporting evidence to justify why it should be approved, architectural drawings, maps, block plans and of course the correct application to be completed.
Once an application is submitted the planning authority first needs to validate it. They then have up to 8 weeks to process the application and reach a decision. It is however common for planning authorities to request additional information or minor design alterations which can delay the process further.
For this reason, it is recommended that you allow as much time as possible to receive the decision, at least 3 months and up to 12 months ahead is ideal. Once planning is approved you generally have 3 years to start work and 5 years to complete the work.
In theory anyone can submit an application although other than industry professionals those who try are often rejected unnecessarily due to missing information or mistakes. Even architects are generally only qualified in design but not planning so while they can draw anything this does not mean that it meets all of the necessary planning criteria. In fact, lots of clients come to us having been rejected with an architect because the application did not meet the necessary planning criteria.
At Studio Charrette, we have a team of inhouse architects and planners who work together on every application. This ensures the design meets both our client’s expectation and also the expectations of the planning authority, to give every application the best chance of success.
We fully appreciate any unexpected cost is going to be unwelcome, but you will be pleased to know our prices are so competitive, we offer a price match guarantee and in most cases the planning costs are insignificant compared to the development.
If there is a way to help you achieve a positive outcome our chartered planning consultants will give you the best chance of success. Equally if we think it simply isn’t feasible, while it may be bad news, we are obliged to give you frank and honest professional advice.
If you choose to instruct Studio Charrette, we will take care of everything for you from this point including preparing all the necessary supporting evidence, architectural drawings, submitting and managing your application throughout the entire process.
We will keep you updated from start to finish until we receive a decision, which thanks to our planning appraisals is usually positive.
Our Assessment Process
Start your journey with a friendly conversation about your project. We’ll discuss your ideas, understand your goals, and provide initial thoughts on feasibility. This no-obligation call helps us understand your vision and lets you get to know our approach.
After our call, our planning experts get to work. We’ll carry out a thorough analysis of your local planning policies, checking for any site constraints that might affect your project. We look at planning history in your area and search for relevant precedents that could support your application. This research helps us spot potential challenges early and develop practical solutions.
You’ll have a focused 30-minute discussion with one of our RTPI planners. They’ll explain their findings in clear, practical terms and answer all your questions. Together, we’ll explore your options and develop a strategic approach for your project. This consultation gives you direct access to expert knowledge, helping you make informed decisions about next steps.
Following our consultation, you’ll receive a detailed written report. This document sets out our assessment of your project’s feasibility, outlines specific planning requirements, and gives you a clear picture of approval probability. We include a realistic cost estimate and timeline, plus identify any risk factors you need to consider. Most importantly, we provide clear recommendations for moving forward.
The report becomes your roadmap for the project, giving you confidence in your next steps. We write it in clear, straightforward language, avoiding technical jargon while including all essential details. You can use this document to make informed decisions about your project’s future and share it with other professionals involved in your project.
Why Choose Studio Charrette:
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If you are in any doubt about how to deal with Loft Conversions,
contact us right away to speak with one of our Expert Chartered Planning Consultants.
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