Planning permission for a dormer

MenInBlack

Hi all,

I've recently had a builder round who has mentioned that if I was considering a dormer put in then it wouldn't require planning permission. I have previously been interested in it, however the council haven't been much help and I don't want any work to start until the council have confirmed this.

The property is an end terrace and has a flat roof. The builder has said he will be changing the roof style to a triangle shape to allow for a dormer. 

Has anyone else been in a similar situation and did they require planning permission?

Thanks

Section62

MenInBlack said:

Hi all,

I've recently had a builder round who has mentioned that if I was considering a dormer put in then it wouldn't require planning permission. I have previously been interested in it, however the council haven't been much help and I don't want any work to start until the council have confirmed this.

The property is an end terrace and has a flat roof. The builder has said he will be changing the roof style to a triangle shape to allow for a dormer. 

Has anyone else been in a similar situation and did they require planning permission?

Thanks

As a general rule, if you increase the height of a building, including the roof, it is likely planning consent will be required.

Did the builder explain how converting a flat roof to a pitched one (i.e so you had a triangular gable wall) wouldn't need planning consent?

Whatever you do, don't rely on builders to give advice on planning (or building control).  Far too many will tell you there's no need for consent in order to get the job.  In most cases the builder will be long gone by the time the lack of consent starts causing you a problem.  The law recently changed so action can be taken against builders as well as homeowners... but I doubt that will make any difference anytime soon.

p00hsticks

I know our next door neighbour (in a row of terraces) applied for PP before having one as the application was posted on their gate. It didn't increase the overall height of the roof.

kimwp

I would personally run from a builder who was pushing to do work.

littlegreen

When we had a dormer constructed we didn't need pp as it did not increase the height of the roof and was not in a protected part of town. Ours is a Victorian terrace. 3 mins down the road however, in a similar victorian terrace with same height dormer, they did however need PP as it a protected part of the neighbourhood due to the slightly different brickwork.

Best to check with your local council

MenInBlack

Thank you all for your responses. Appreciate it