Loft Conversion does not match planning permission

kp039

We bought property last month and moved to it this month, After moving we found out current loft conversion (completed in 2007) does not match planning permission application issued on 2006 on council site.

Seller has given us completion certificate but not sure why it is not matching planning permission and if it not built as per planning permission than why completion certificate was issue.

Also Completion certificate has different application number than planning permission on Richmond council site.

My solicitor did not mention anything about or not matching application number.

What should I do? Would that impact me in anyway when we apply for new planning permission to extend property in future?

TBagpuss

Have you looked up the reference number on the completion certificate, on the council site? Maybe they had more than one application?

Gary123456790

Completion certificate is for building regulations, i.e. was the building work done properly, e.g. ventilation, foundations, joist sizes, etc. This is completely separate to planning, which is concerned with size/style/external appearance/etc.

How much does it differ from the planning? Are there any subsequent planning applications to modify the first one, or any resubmitted drawings with amendments?

Presumably you know about this just because you noticed it differs, rather than the council wanting to take action against you? If so then it is unlikely the council planning dept. will worry after 10 years.

I'm not sure if any new planning application would throw light on the issue that the old work was not done as per the application but I suspect it is unlikely.

Thanks.

kp039

It difference internally, seller has maintained out structure as per approved planning application but internally on council drawing shows staircase at end of wall but in actual build it is done in middle of property above bathroom.

Would solicitor/building surveyor have noticed it?

kp039

I looked at application reference on planning permission and building reg certificate and both does not match not sure if they both use same reference number format or not?

davidmcn

kp039 wrote: »

It difference internally, seller has maintained out structure as per approved planning application but internally on council drawing shows staircase at end of wall but in actual build it is done in middle of property above bathroom.

Would solicitor/building surveyor have noticed it?

If the only difference is internal then it's probably irrelevant from a planning point of view, as loft conversions generally only need planning permission in relation to how they look externally.

If you have a completion certificate then the council were happy with the completed works from a building regulations point of view.

Building control and planning are different departments, the applications are completely separate so the reference numbers aren't going to match.

So it doesn't sound like anything to worry about.