Do We Need Planning Permission?
by Martin Carver
(Essex)
Dear Jeremy,
I am planning to have a new boiler installed which means that the water tank and pipes that are currently in the loft space will be removed making the loft space much bigger.
And although I am not planning to turn the loft into another room for a specific purpose i.e a bedroom, I would like to use the space for something other than storage.
Could you please tell me what I can use a loft space for that does not need planning permission and how much can be done to a loft before it is classed as a conversion.
I am confused as to how a loft can be used for storage of any number of items of any weight but would need planning permission to keep it clear of clutter and used as say a reading room or sutch like.
I live in a semi detached house and on inspecting the joists in the loft they seem to be of a similar size to the joists in the first floor floor/ceiling partition.
Could you advise me on what size a joist has to be in a loft space if it is to be used for sutch a purpose.
Thank you for your time.
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permission for loft conversion
by darren peet
(great yarmouth norfolk england)
Hello Jeremy
Could you please advise me if i need permission to convert my loft to bedroom,mesuring 12 foot by 12 foot with a skylight in my 2 bed bunglow with basic wooden stairs.
Many thanks for your help
Darren.
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Grade II listed buildings and loft conversions
by Anna
(Chelmsford, UK)
Hi, Jeremy
We recently put in an offer on a lovely open plan cottage on 3 floors (3rd being the loft conversion).
It now looks as if the sale is going to fall through because both the building regs and listed building regs papers have not yet been 'found' by the vendor's solicitors.
In the meantime, they are keeping us hanging on by saying that there is a mix up with the local authority and they are trying to sort it out.
Regardless of whether they do so, my uncle, a surveyor says that it will never pass because:
it is on 3 floors with no corridors/hall ways (it is too small to accommodate them)
no fire doors
the staircase to the loft conversion is a paddle staircase
no sprinkler system as an alternative to hall ways.
And he hasn't even inspected it yet to tell whether the floor etc is reinforced.
From this information, does it sound as if, even if permissions are found, we would have a job on our hands (especially if we want to rent it out quickly)?
Or are there any loopholes that could rectify the whole thing eg keeping everything the same but having a roof hatch attached.
Not that it solves weight of furniture if installed up there and the floor's not reinforced properly.
We need to move quickly with a decision but I don't want to opt out if there is a way forward.
I would appreciate a second opinion.
Thanks so much. Anna
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loft conversion -retrospective planning
by maria
(devon uk)
Hello
In my 1940's semi is a loft room that was built to building regs but not the stairs- there is a lid opening & a quite narrow wooden slat stair case- there was no planning consent - as it was an art room.
If I sell my house now will I have to get retrospective planning consent on it for the info pack ?
I think it was coverted about 10 years ago
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Grade 11 listed
by Julie
(Somerset)
Hi do you know if its possible to havea loft conversion on a grade 11 listed building??
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Loft conversion without permission
by Dan
(Barking)
I have done my loft conversion but my builder said I don't need permission to convert loft in to room.
I want to use my loft as a bedroom. Do I get permission to count loft as extra bedroom? If I do need permission how do I get it?
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