Loft - Dormer Window

gallagher30

Dear all,

We're looking at converting our loft and including a dormer window - additional head height etc.

We understand that we'll be going through Building Regulations but Planning Permission will not be necessarily be required.

Does anybody know the sizes / volumes / rules in order to avoid planning permission?

Many thanks

Gallagher



(I also find it hard to understand that we're going through Building Regs but not Planning Permission - I always used to think they were the same thing!)

andy208833

Best place to look for the info is on the local councils government website. i did an extension last year and got all my required info from the Sedgemoor district council website here in somerset.

niamhtra66

I don't know if things have changed but 4 years ago we did a loft conversion and we didn't need planning permission for the conversion but we did if we wanted a dorma window as your changing the line of the roof.
We did it with velux as we knew our neighbour wouldn't agree to it. We went ahead with just building regs but i'm sure someone will come along with more current info.

andy208833

Forgot to say that you can always go into the local planning office with drawings of what you want to do and they will tell you there and then if you need planning or not.

gallagher30

Thank you for the advice,

Regards

Gallagher

trumpton

Niahm is correct I think, you will need planning for a dormer but not a velux. The gov's planning portal is quite useful. Here's the loft conversion bit:

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/public/buildingwork/projects/workcommonloftconversion/

Whether you need planning will depend on the volume of the space in relation to the kind of house you have, and whether you want a dormer or not.


"Under new regulations that came into effect from 1 October 2008 a loft conversion for your house is considered to be permitted development, not requiring an application for planning permission, subject to the following limits and conditions:

• A volume allowance of 40 cubic metres additional roof space for terraced houses*
• A volume allowance of 50 cubic metres additional roof space for detached and semi-detached houses*
• No extension beyond the plane of the existing roof slope of the principal elevation that fronts the highway
• No extension to be higher than the highest part of the roof
• Materials to be similar in appearance to the existing house
• No verandas, balconies or raised platforms
• Side-facing windows to be obscure-glazed; any opening to be 1.7m above the floor
• Roof extensions not to be permitted development in designated areas**
• Roof extensions, apart from hip to gable ones, to be set back, as far as practicable, at least 20cm from the eaves

*Bear in mind that any previous roof space additions must be included within the volume allowances listed above. Although you may not have created additional space a previous owner may have done so."

leveller2911

If you live in a Conservation area, may LA won't allow Velux roof lights, but will allow Conservation roof lights, so best to check....

planning_officer

andy208833 wrote: »

Forgot to say that you can always go into the local planning office with drawings of what you want to do and they will tell you there and then if you need planning or not.

Not often the case any more - councils may well not answer this question (as they are not obliged to provide this level of advice - it is discretionary) and may ask you submit an application for a Lawful Development Certificate, which will give a formal answer as to whether it needs planning permission - costs £75 and you need full scaled plans.

planning_officer

trumpton wrote: »

"Under new regulations that came into effect from 1 October 2008 a loft conversion for your house is considered to be permitted development, not requiring an application for planning permission, subject to the following limits and conditions:

• A volume allowance of 40 cubic metres additional roof space for terraced houses*
• A volume allowance of 50 cubic metres additional roof space for detached and semi-detached houses*
• No extension beyond the plane of the existing roof slope of the principal elevation that fronts the highway
• No extension to be higher than the highest part of the roof
• Materials to be similar in appearance to the existing house
• No verandas, balconies or raised platforms
• Side-facing windows to be obscure-glazed; any opening to be 1.7m above the floor
• Roof extensions not to be permitted development in designated areas**
• Roof extensions, apart from hip to gable ones, to be set back, as far as practicable, at least 20cm from the eaves

*Bear in mind that any previous roof space additions must be included within the volume allowances listed above. Although you may not have created additional space a previous owner may have done so."

Good advice - but one important thing missing from these criteria (which are from Class B of the GPDO), is that if you live in a conservation area, National Park or AONB, Class B permitted development rights do not apply - therefore any dormer window will need planning permission.

If you don't live in any of those designated areas, then broadly speaking a dormer window on the rear will be permitted development and will not require a planning application - however you must comply with the other criteria listed above too.

leveller2911

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