Conversion Plans Lewes | Just Plans

Understanding when and how a loft can be converted without planning permission is absolutely crucial. Likewise the engineering and the vision behind it.

You might think that if there's any doubt, the safest thing would be to apply for planning permission. But you'd be wrong!

One of our repeat clients, himself a seasoned builder, recently obtained a lawful development certificate from us for his own loft conversion. Just after he finished the work, it turned out that his property was exempt from the scheme. Were it not for the certificate we had obtained, he would have had to dismantle it. Planning permission would have almost certainly been refused.

Loft conversions to houses are generally lawful to build without planning permission - see our general list below.

Why not call us and check how the rules apply to your property. No commitment, no fee. We're happy to help.

Planning permission is not normally required. However, permission is required where you extend or alter the roof space and it exceeds specified limits and conditions.

These are specific to "the enlargement of a dwellinghouse consisting of an addition or alteration to its roof" as detailed in Schedule 2, Part 1, Class B of the The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended).

There are different rules for "any other alteration to the roof of a dwellinghouse" (Schedule 2, Part 1, Class C) which are detailed in our 'Roof' section.

A loft conversion for your house is considered to be permitted development, not requiring an application for planning permission, subject to the following limits and conditions:

A volume allowance of 40 cubic metres additional roof space for terraced houses *
A volume allowance of 50 cubic metres additional roof space for detached and semi-detached houses *
No extension beyond the plane of the existing roof slope of the principal elevation that fronts the highway
No extension to be higher than the highest part of the roof
Materials to be similar in appearance to the existing house
No verandas, balconies or raised platforms
Side-facing windows to be obscure-glazed; any opening to be 1.7m above the floor
Roof extensions not to be permitted development in designated areas **
Roof extensions, apart from hip to gable ones, to be set back, as far as practicable, at least 20cm from the original eaves
The roof enlargement cannot overhang the outer face of the wall of the original house.

Please note: For an explanation of how to apply the 20cm set back condition please see pages 35-36 of 'Permitted development for householders - Technical guidance', see below.
* Bear in mind that any previous roof space additions must be included within the volume allowances listed above. Although you may not have created additional space a previous owner may have done so.
** Designated areas include national parks and the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, conservation areas and World Heritage Sites.

Please note: The permitted development allowances described here apply to houses and not to:

Flats and maisonettes (view our guidance on flats and maisonettes)
Converted houses or houses created through the permitted development rights to change use (as detailed in our change of use section)
Other buildings
Areas where there may be a planning condition, Article 4 Direction or other restriction that limits permitted development rights.

Most garage conversions stand a very good chance of obtaining planning permission. So unless there's a particular parking or conservation issue, we are generally in favour of applying for planning permission in most cases.

Garage conversions can be a great way of achieving a playroom or additional living space for very little money, and can often end up adding a great deal to the value of your home. Depending upon the job at hand, we're advocates of building a shed in the garden, de-cluttering the garage and the house, and converting the garage. Sometimes clients like to keep the front bit of the garage for bikes and a few tools, and open up the rear piece of the garage for additional living space, which can typically done very cheaply.

What's really needed is a holistic, practical approach, and an understanding of what you're trying to achieve (often more space but without compromising on storage).

Why not call us and check how the rules apply to your property. No commitment and no fee. We're happy to help.

The government introduced a raft of genuinely ground-breaking planning legislation in 2013. Since this date we have been helping developers convert office buildings into large multi-flat schemes, up to 200 flats per building. In one case we acquired a consent that increased the value of the building from £2.1m to £3.85m over a period of 6 months!

Later rafts of legislation have opened up opportunities to convert barns, warehouses and all sorts of under-used buildings into houses.

Barn conversions can make magnificent homes, often with very little work to the outside.

Why not call us and check how the rules apply to your property. No commitment and no fee. We're happy to help.

Conversions

Conversion Plans

Loft conversions

Beautiful restoration and loft conversion recently completed in Balcombe

Garage conversions

Barns and other conversions

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