Planning & Building Regulations

Our Partner MFA for all building regulations

A loft conversion will always need building regulations approval, irrespective of whether planning permission is required. If you don’t get the necessary building regulation approval, the local authority may take enforcement action and your property could be harder to sell as surveyors check for this when they inspect a property for a purchaser.

When instructing Sheffield Loft Conversions we ensure that this isn’t something you need to worry about. As part of your project, we will help to prepare building regulations plans, structural specifications and calculations and, ultimately, ensure the project complies with building regulations to ensure you get approval.

Do I need planning permission and who will deal with this

As a guide, you shouldn’t need planning permission if your proposed conversion satisfies the following conditions:

• The total area of the additional space won’t exceed 40 cubic metres for terraced houses or 50 cubic metres for detached or semi-detached houses (this allowance includes not only any extra space you create with this loft, but also any previous additions that have been made, such as an extension).
• The extension does not reach beyond the outermost part of the existing roof slope at the front of the house.
• The extension does not go higher than the highest part of the roof.
• Materials are similar in appearance to the existing house.
• There are no verandas, balconies or raised platforms.
• Side-facing windows are obscure-glazed (for example frosted or patterned to stop people seeing in).
• Side-facing window openings are 1.7m or more above the floor.
• Your house is not on designated land, namely national parks, Areas of Outstanding National Beauty, the Broads, conservation areas and World Heritage sites.
• Roof extensions, other than hip-to-gable ones, are set back as far as practicable, at least 20cm from the original eaves.
• The roof enlargement does not overhang the outer face of the wall of the original house.

If you’re unsure, or think you might need planning permission, an initial discussion with ourselves  at Sheffield Loft Conversions will be able to answer all your questions