Stop, don't get an attic conversion until you read this article
A loft conversion for your property is possibly considered to be permitted development, not requiring an application for planning permission, supplied certain restrictions and conditions are met.
1. Loft conversions are NOT EVER allowed development for houses on designated land (designated land features national parks as well as the Broads, Areas of Exceptional Natural Beauty, preservation areas and World Heritage Sites).
2. To be permitted development any extra roof space created must not go beyond these kinds of volume allowances:.
â 40 cubic metres for terraced houses. â 50 cubic metres for detached and semi-detached houses.
Keep in mind that any past attic space enhancements must be included within this volume allocation. You may not have created additional space a previous owner may have done so.
3. An expansion beyond the plane of the existing roof slope of the major elevation that faces a freeway is CERTAINLY NOT permitted development.
4. Materials to be comparable in look to the alreadying existing building.
5. No part of the extension to become higher than the greatest part of the existing roof.
6. Verandas, patios or raised platforms are DEFINITELY NOT permitted development.
7. Any type of side-facing windows must be obscure glazed and non-opening except if the parts which could be opened up are more than 1.7 metres over the floor of the area in which it is set up.
8. Attic extensions, other than hip to gable ones, to become set back, as far as is practicable, at least 20cms from the eaves.
Work on a loft space or a roof may affect bats. A survey may be needed, and if bats are using the building, a licence may be required.
The permitted development allowances described here apply to homes, maisonettes or other homes. You should check with your Local Planning Authority whether permitted development rights use â they may have been really removed. Other permissions may be required if your building is noted or in a designated area.
HOME REGULATIONS.
Property requirements approval is called for to convert an attic or attic room into a liveable space. This section offers guidance for making modifications to the attic space of an existing home which is no more than two storeys high. Requirements for changes to an apartment or other houses like maisonettes, or buildings over three storeys, will be similar but may be more extensive and possibly extend to other parts of the building.
The regulations will be applied to ensure, for example:.
â the structural toughness of the new flooring is sufficient. â the stability of the structure (including the existing roof) is not endangered. â safe escape from fire. â safely developed stairs to the new floor. â reasonable noise insulation between the conversion and the areas below.
If you plan to make the attic room space more accessible or more habitable by, such as, installing a stair to it and enhancing it by boarding it out and lining the walls / rafters etc., more considerable work is likely to be needed and the House Regulations are most likely to apply.
It is advised that you call Home Control to review your proposition and for further suggestions and you must also find out whether or not work you intend to carry out falls within The Party Wall structure etc.
Act 1996. DEVELOPING A LIVEABLE SPACE.
If you decide to create a liveable area (a 'liveable space' is where you mean to use the room as a normal part of your building, this includes extra bedrooms which may be used infrequently) in an alreadying existing attic room space of a home it is likely to require a range of alterations.
Many of these could have an adverse effect on the property and its occupants if they are not properly thought out, planned and undertaken in accordance with the requirements of the legislation.
With respect to the constructural stability of the existing wall structures when undertaking a conversion of a loft space, consideration will need to be given as to how the new loads will be assisted. For example, if new floor joists are provided and they are to be sustained by an alreadying existing wall structure, the wall structure will need to continue all the way down through the property to a foundation or alternatively the wall structure will need to be offered with an adequate intermediate support.
Some houses have through lounges on the ground floor where the alreadying existing load-bearing wall that did take a load down to the foundation has been removed, or it may have originally been established as a through lounge, with a steel/timber beam installed over the opening. This beam should be checked that it is strong enough to carry any new loads from the loft conversion are added.
Generally the additional load (weight) from construction and use of the new loft space room(s) does not mean a significant increase on the load being transferred to the foundations.
However, in some cases, the increase in load could be significant and the adequacy of the alreadying existing foundations to carry this extra load will need to be checked. It may be necessary for the capability of the foundations to be increased by underpinning them. A structural engineer or your Structure Control Body will be able to advise you.
FIRE SAFETY.
When converting an existing roof space into a room or rooms the provisions for escape need to be considered throughout the full extent of the escape route. This often means that additional fire protection will be necessary in the existing parts of the property.
For example, a typical attic conversion to a two-storey building will result in the need to offer new fire-resisting doors and sometimes partitions to protect the stairway. This is because it is too dangerous to escape via windows from floors above first floor level.
Mains powered, interlinked smoke alarms will also need to be provided within the stairway at each level.
It may also be necessary to upgrade the fire protection to some parts of the structure of the building such as the floors.
The permitted development allowances described here apply to residences, not flats, maisonettes or other properties. Other consents may be required if your house is listed or in a designated area.
House regulations approval is required to convert an attic or attic into a liveable space. This section provides guidance for making alterations to the loft space of an existing residence which is no more than two storeys high. Requirements for alterations to an apartment or other dwellings like maisonettes, or buildings over three storeys, will be similar but may be more extensive and possibly extend to other parts of the home.
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