Flat roof failed, worth having it pitched?

Lungboy

Thanks to budget cuts, my council no longer have a duty planner. It used to be that you could ring them and ask a simple planning question like "do I need planning permission to put a low angle pitched roof on instead of a flat roof" and have a quick chat about it. Now you need an official appointment that could be weeks away when the roof is leaking now, and you get to pay £40 for the privilege.

The builder reckons it doesn't need permission, but then he would say that. The planning portal website doesn't cover the issue specifically, so I'm left having to wait for a hideously expensive appointment. Yay.

andrewf75

Instead of re-felting you might want to look at more modern covering like EPDM rubber

Furts

Lungboy wrote: »

Thanks to budget cuts, my council no longer have a duty planner. It used to be that you could ring them and ask a simple planning question like "do I need planning permission to put a low angle pitched roof on instead of a flat roof" and have a quick chat about it. Now you need an official appointment that could be weeks away when the roof is leaking now, and you get to pay £40 for the privilege.

The builder reckons it doesn't need permission, but then he would say that. The planning portal website doesn't cover the issue specifically, so I'm left having to wait for a hideously expensive appointment. Yay.

Are you being a little unfair on your Local Authority?

Would you expect a consultation with a private consultant at a hospital, or a business consultation with an accountant, or a consultation with a solicitor for £40? I suggest these consultations would be substantially higher than your "hideously expensive" £40.

Equally, would you expect an immediate appointment, or might it be the norm to book a slot at an agreed future time?

phil24_7

You'll get an initial appointment at a solicitors for free, so perhaps that one wasn't a good example! lol

27col

Our Council has a duty planner situated in the reception area. I spoke to him only last week. Completely free of charge..

Gloomendoom

Furts wrote: »

Are you being a little unfair on your Local Authority?

Would you expect a consultation with a private consultant at a hospital, or a business consultation with an accountant, or a consultation with a solicitor for £40? I suggest these consultations would be substantially higher than your "hideously expensive" £40.

I don't think the OP is moaning about paying for advice from a private consultant, he's moaning about having to pay for the services of a public servant, no doubt funded by his council tax.

LUHG1878

A quick google search brought this up from St Albans council website;

Do I need planning permission for a new roof to a house or garage if I am changing the shape of the roof ie pitched to flat or flat to pitched?

You will not need planning permission to change the shape of the roof unless:

- The work will make this part of the house higher than the highest part of the existing roof.

- The work will add more than 50 cubic meters to a semi-detached or detached house or 40 cubic meters if the property is terraced.

- Any part would extend beyond the plane of the existing roof slope of the principal elevation that fronts a highway.

- You live in a conservation area.

It may vary from council to council, but I doubt it would vary much, so your builder is probably right, but get a quote from other builders or roofers and see if they say the same thing.

Lungboy

Furts wrote: »

Are you being a little unfair on your Local Authority?

Would you expect a consultation with a private consultant at a hospital, or a business consultation with an accountant, or a consultation with a solicitor for £40? I suggest these consultations would be substantially higher than your "hideously expensive" £40.

Equally, would you expect an immediate appointment, or might it be the norm to book a slot at an agreed future time?

I'm not after a consultation, just 10 seconds to answer my question. I'd call £40 for 10 seconds of work hideously expensive. I can call my consultant Dr and speak to him straight away if he's not busy, for free. As said, lots of financial professionals will give a free 30 minutes, and more will answer a quick query over the phone for nothing.

LUHG1878 wrote: »

A quick google search brought this up from St Albans council website;

Do I need planning permission for a new roof to a house or garage if I am changing the shape of the roof ie pitched to flat or flat to pitched?

You will not need planning permission to change the shape of the roof unless:

- The work will make this part of the house higher than the highest part of the existing roof.

- The work will add more than 50 cubic meters to a semi-detached or detached house or 40 cubic meters if the property is terraced.

- Any part would extend beyond the plane of the existing roof slope of the principal elevation that fronts a highway.

- You live in a conservation area.

It may vary from council to council, but I doubt it would vary much, so your builder is probably right, but get a quote from other builders or roofers and see if they say the same thing.

I saw that, but I doubt I could use one councils rules to justify work in a different council.

adandem

Our last house had a large rear extension with a flat roof. That part of the house was always freezing so I would definitely try and get a pitched roof and insulate it well.