Planning Permission

Planning permission is the process of gaining the legal right to adapt a property. These changes may range from major redevelopments all the way to incongruous details – but it’s utterly essential to check out and receive the all clear before conducting any work. In many cases people are allowed to make adaptions without the delay and cost of the planning process by having a property with ‘permitted planning’ that allows changes already granted.

Permitted Permission & Loft Conversions

There are a surprising number of buildings in Britain that have planning permissions slapped on, so do contact local planning departments and make inquiries and searches. Many buildings are ‘listed’ meaning that development is not allowed due to historic or cultural affiliations. Others may be areas designated as outstanding for natural beauty. As a rule of thumb anyone with such a property is unlikely to find that it is a ‘permitted property’, and therefore development such as a loft conversion may be difficult to acquire.

The Rules

1. No part of the home may be elevated any higher than it currently stands.
2. No property can extend further than the current limits when overlooking a ‘highway’ Take time to check out what constitutes a highway – often it includes not just A-roads but bridleways and even paths.
3. The size of development is also limited according to the style of property. Detached homes are permitted no more than a 50 cubic meter development, with terraces this goes down to 40.

Should the development not be covered by any permitted development then an application will need to be lodged with the local authorities. It can pay here to have a professional on your side that will be able to argue the case well. Absolute Lofts are experts in attaining planning permission for loft conversions, and will complete such documents on your behalf. There is a fee of £172 to the planning authorities to make such an application.

Look Into A Lawful Development Certificate Should You Have Permission

It may not be legally necessary yet these certificates (LDCs) can provide a valuable source of additional insurance should the development run into contest or difficulty. Essentially it is a document that shows that the developer has fully completed all of their legal responsibilities before undertaking the work on land/property where authorization isn’t needed.

These certificates cover breaches of land boundaries, and essentially confirm that the work is all in order. Loft Conversions South London can help with gaining an LDC – that is also a useful additional document when selling property/land – for an application fee of £86.