Building regulations

Helping you cut through the red tape

Most loft conversions and house extensions can be built under 'Building Regs', and often do not need 'Full Planning' permission.
After contacting us for advice and quote, we arrange for our architect to produce the design drawings required of your building project, loft or extension. Once all parties are happy they are submited to the local authority.
When the project commences, we take on the responsibility of liaising with the local authority representation, who is required to inspect all the work we produce at specified stages through to completion.

Loft conversion

Planning Permission or Building Control Consent?

The bullet points below give an initial indication of whether formal planning permission or building regulations approval is needed.
Please use the links below which gives guidance on permitted development.

Lofts Extensions

If you wish to install dormer windows you will not need to submit a planning application subject to the following limits and conditions:

That the dormer is no larger than 40 cubic metres for terraced houses

That the dormer is no larger than 50 cubic metres 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 to be created

Side-facing windows to be obscure-glazed; any opening to be 1.7m above the floor

Roof extensions always require a planning application in Conservation Areas (Check Redbridge Conservation Area map if you're unsure as to whether you live in one of these areas)

Roof extensions, apart from hip to gable ones, must be set back, as far as practicable, at least 20cm from the eaves

House Extensions

If you live in a house (not a flat, maisonette or a commercial property) you may be able to build an extension without the need to make a planning application, subject to the following limits and conditions:

No more than half the area around the 'original house' is covered by (out)buildings

No extension projects forward of the principal elevation or side elevation fronting a highway

No extension is higher than the highest part of the roof

Maximum depth of a single-storey rear extension of three metres for a semi/terraced house and four metres for a detached house

Maximum height of a single-storey rear extension of four metres

Maximum depth of a rear extension of more than one storey is three metres including ground floor

Maximum eaves height of an extension within two metres of the boundary is three metres

Maximum eaves and ridge height of extension no higher than existing house

Side extensions to be single storey with maximum height of four metres and width no more than half that of the original house

Two-storey extensions no closer than seven metres to rear boundary

The roof pitch of extensions over one storey must match the existing house

Materials to be similar in appearance to the existing house

No verandas, balconies or raised platforms

Upper-floor, side-facing windows to be obscure-glazed; any opening to be 1.7m above the floor

In Conservation Areas, rear extensions of more than one storey require a planning application

In Conservation Areas, no exterior cladding or side extensions are permitted without a planning application

Check (Check Redbridge Conservation Area map if you're unsure as to whether you live in one of these areas

For a quote or advice
E: info@pglofts.co.uk
T: 020 8506 2291
M: 07940 535 472

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