Help & Advice
Here you will find specific information concerning permitted development, planning, building regs and party walls.
We also have a Frequently Asked Questions page for more general information
Party Wall Agreement
A party wall can be a wall that is shared by two adjacent properties i.e. where the physical boundary of the two properties meets at the centre of a shared wall. These are most s in terraced properties and flats. You can download here our basic party wall agreement. Each neighbour will need to be informed of the proposed works using a party wall notice form at least two calendar months before the intended start of the build.
Party wall agreements are formal, legal documents that are required if you share a wall with a neighbour, we can assess this on site and advise you if you require one. The party wall agreement is there to protect you and your neighbour from issues that might arise due to work done on the party wall. It draws up an agreement between you and your neighbour on what needs to happen if there is a problem. By law your neighbour can insist you have one before work starts. We have preferred party wall surveyors who can draft this agreement on your behalf. Commonly, party wall disputes are the biggest issue which can delay workings starting on your loft conversion.
Permitted Development
Permitted development is the best way to maximise your potential space as it allows you to extend almost every part of your home which was part of the original dwelling. In most properties, a loft conversion will fall under permitted development and therefore you will not need to apply for planning permission.
Your loft conversion development will need to keep within permitted development constraints i.e., terraced properties are allowed to add an additional 40 cubic metres of extra space. Semi-detached and detached property can add an additional 50 cubic metres. If your home has already had an extension since it was first built, then these additional cubic metres content will need to be added with your proposed loft conversion.
If these additional cubic metres are over the allowance outlined above then full planning permission will be required. If your home is a flat, maisonette or built in a conservation area you will need to apply for planning permission. Please see further government guidance regarding permitted development rights
If you think you might need to apply for planning permission, please click here to read more.
If your home is within a conservation area, please click here to read more.
Lawful Development Certificate
Planning Permission
Householder planning permission, is formally asking the council if your proposed scheme of works for your loft conversion is acceptable. It is open to rejection by them and/or your neighbours and will have to follow the local development plan.
Planning permission is required if the ridge height needs to be extended to obtain the minimum required head height in the loft rooms or if the building has restrictions such as being in a conservation area, or a listed building were listed building consent is mandatory. To gain planning permission, you must submit all mandatory supporting documents with your completed application and pay the correct fee to your local authority.
Your application will either be approved and given the go ahead to being works or rejected with the possibility to appeal. On average it takes approximately 8-12 weeks after submission of an application for local authorities to provide their decision. If you require planning permission as part of your project, we are happy to work with you and apply for this on your behalf.
Please see further government guidance regarding determining a planning application.
Conservation Areas
The council can decide that the character or appearance of certain areas needs be preserved or enhanced. If you live in a conservation area, you will need to apply for planning permission for your loft conversion. Each local authority has different stringent building regulations on what you can or cannot build and guidelines vary from borough to borough.
We have successfully built numerous loft conversions in conservation areas around Southeast London. If you live within a conservation area, we will work with you to design appropriate plans for planning and apply on your behalf. Find out if you live in a conservation area by contacting your local planning authority here.
Building Regulations
Before loft works begin, clients will need to appoint a company or use the local authority for building control. We have a preferred building control company that we use for all our loft conversions, unless the client specifies otherwise.
Throughout the building process, we will liaise with your allocated building control company to ensure that your loft conversion is compliant with all necessary construction regulations. Including and not limited to: the structure, fire safety, insulation, plumbing, electrical work and escape routes. The building control representative will make various visits at different stages of the works and then at the end of the job they will issue a completion certificate which is required to sell your house. If you would like to read more about this please click here.
