Loft conversion - rest of the houses on the street a fair indication?

MrRemus

Hi - I am looking to offer on a 1930s terrace with the eventual intention of converting the loft into a swish master bedroom with ensuite or study (depending how many kids we have! )

Estate agents always say "Oh, on Google Earth you can see that other houses on the street have got Veluxes so you're bound to get planning permission..." but is there an element of truth in this?

What other research should I be doing to ensure that a loft conversion is possible?

phill99

Many loft conversions are done under 'permitted development rights'. These are a set of rules that set out a range of parameters and provided your extension ( or loft conversion) falls within these rules, then you don't need to apply for planning permission. However you will need a building regulation application to be submitted.

If you loft conversion does require planning permission, don't listen to the EA. local planning authorities are no longer bound by existing precedent so just because you neighbour has one it doesn't mean you will get permission.

Remember the EA will tell you what you want to hear as he is a salesman after all!

jgh

MrRemus wrote: »

Estate agents always say "Oh, on Google Earth you can see that other houses on the street have got Veluxes so you're bound to get planning permission..." but is there an element of truth in this?

Planning rules for roof windows changed about three years ago - by chance one month after I'd had a roof make-over. The majority of other properties on the street will have had theirs done under permitted development rights. PD rights are now restricted to:

• Any alteration to project no more than 150 millimetres from the existing roof plane.
• No alteration to be higher than the highest part of the roof.
• Side facing windows to be obscure-glazed; any opening to be 1.7m above the floor.

(I used to be a member of a planning committee)

cattie

If you are thinking of doing a loft conversion, then only consider it if dormer windows are a possibility. Loft conversions with just velux windows are not really very practical and can have big storage drawbacks.

I'd speak directly to the council planning office to see if I could glean how likely the kind of loft conversion I wanted would be.

MrRemus

Thanks cattie, I'll try the planning office. I'm more than certain dormers are a no-no for the council on this road as no one for a good few streets have a dormer and I personally feel they are quite ugly for the neighbours. But if it gives extra space and storage then I'll look into it.

Not having the conversion won't stop us buying the house but it would be a big bonus. Plus I have visions of disapearing into a 'No Kids Zone'

sirmosh

Some houses, normally bigger Victorian propertys have really high loft rooms anyway which don't really need dormers to be usable, but they're not that common.

BobQ

Unless you have a large loft and a reasonably steep slope on the roof the Velux solution is unlikely to be adequate for a master bedroom.

For a normal size house, you need a dormer for a bedroom partly because you get a more conventional (vertical window) and partly because for some designs its the only way to get a proper staircase access. Usually the staircase goes above the existing staircase next to the dividing wall with the next house. You can do this in other ways but this can take a lot of space. A dormer will also afford more natural light.

Velux may be fine for a store room or a study but as a master bedroom I would avoid it.

motherofstudents

Have to agree about the dormers. It does make the loft space feel more like a 'real' bedroom. If velux is the only possibility, it would still (imo) be worth doing as it will add useable space.

Planning department are usually fairly ok to chat to informally so you can get a fairly reasonable idea of what they might allow. If you still want the house if you can't get PP, then go for it !

Edit to add that recent dormers we have done are actually rather nice on the outside, it totally depends on getting a good design. I agree the 1970's ones that are plonked in the middle of the roof are very ugly.

dimbo61

We live in a modern 3 storey property and the Loft bedroom and ensuite is what sold it to us!
The 3 teenage kids even offered to share a bedroom if they could have the third floor ( they are still waiting :-) )
Not so good if you have young kids as you need to sleep on the same floor