Loft conversion can be a pretty useful thing. It’s a great way of taking space that you already own and repurposing it into something better. At the same time, a lot of people will worry that they need to try and seek planning permission for the loft conversion before they can get started on the project.

It’s pretty important to know what you can and can’t do, and we totally understand that, which is why we’ll be taking a look for you. Let’s explore whether or not you need planning permission for a loft conversion.

Generally speaking, you don’t need to have planning permission from your local authority for a loft conversion. This type of conversion will fall under something called permitted development rights. What this means is to a certain extent, you can make changes to your property as you wish, without having to involve any outside parties.

However, it’s not always the case. If you’re going to undertake work on your property which will exceed certain limits, then you will need to make sure that you have sought out planning permission. This generally points to things like altering the roof space, or extending the property. You will also have to follow a strict set of planning and building regulations, which are vital for making sure that the work you do is safe and compliant with standards.

Understanding what type of work is allowed under permitted development is tricky, but it’s also doable if you’re clever about it. According to Schedule 2, Part 1, Class B of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015, certain types of loft conversions are allowed with no prior approval.

Generally, it’s best to get an architect or builder to come and have a look at what you intend to do, because they can confirm that it falls within permitted development. You should also be aware that so long as your loft conversion falls within certain parameters, it is allowed. We’ve put together the list of parameters for you here.

• Your new loft space will not be larger than 40 m³ for terraced properties, and 50 m³ for both semi detached and detached properties.

• Your loft conversion does not extend beyond the existing roof slope, at the front of the property, known as the principal elevation.

 

• Your loft conversion does not extend any higher than your existing roof at the highest point.

 

• Your loft conversion does not include any balconies, verandas, or raised elements.

 

• Your loft conversion is constructed using materials that have a similar appearance to the rest of your property.

 

• Any side facing windows on the conversion must be obscure glazed glass, to make sure that no individual can see in or out.

 

• If there are side facing windows on the conversion, they must be at least 1.7m high, as a minimum requirement.

 

• Your property must not be located in designated areas that include areas of outstanding beauty, national parks, world heritage sites, and conservation areas.

 

• Any extensions made to the roof of the property must not overhang the outer wall of the original property.

If the alterations you intend to make to your property exceed the conditions listed above, then you will need to make sure that you contact your local authority and apply for planning permission. This is something that you can do online, and nearly every local authority located in England has access to an online portal.

The government has published a selection of reading materials that provide technical guidance on permitted development rights for households, should you wish to further educate yourself.

It is important to note that the limits and conditions set down for loft conversion will only apply to houses, if you live in any of the following dwellings, then you will need to apply for planning permission regardless of the work you intend to do. This list includes maisonettes, flat, house is created through the permitted development rights to change program, converted houses, other buildings that are non dwelling in nature, or homes that may have a restriction due to their geographical area.

Planning permission costs can begin at £206, and will vary according to the specific situation that you find yourself in. The costs cover the application fee, and will naturally vary. If there are specific instances such as the involvement of a listed building, or one which is due to be demolished, no application fee is charged.

There is no timeframe for your local authority to make a decision regarding your planning application. However, most straightforward processes should not take any longer than eight weeks, with a maximum of 16 weeks if an environmental impact assessment is required.

In conclusion, whether or not your property will require planning permission is very much a case by case basis. There is no minimum requirement for making changes to a property, and in terms of planning permission, you will find there aren't masses of things to think about.

It’s very important to identify the correct instances where it is mandatory to get planning permission. It is highly recommended that you consult with a professional whenever you are attempting to get a planning permission project off the ground, and at the very least, getting a builder to provide expert advice is a sensible choice.

Permitted development rights mean that you can make a fairly large amount of modifications to the interior of your home without planning permission, but if you are attempting a particularly ambitious project, you should consult with a professional.

Generally speaking, the local authority is fairly happy to approve whatever planning permission you may be looking for, so long as it is not detrimental to others from a health and safety perspective.

​Obviously, it will be in your best interest to be polite and respectful at all times when dealing with local authorities, as they have a large degree of influence over your project.

​There are three primary sorts of loft conversion found in Derby homes. A loft conversion can be utilised as a visitor room, study or den, increasing the value of your property. Hope to spend between £20-45,000 and 4 two months changing over your unfilled rooftop space into a loft. 

To choose what kind of conversion will suit you best, you'll have to think about the shape and line of your current rooftop, your financial limit and your allowed improvement rights. Working with a gifted draftsman can assist you with understanding how to draw the best designs for your home. 

There are three fundamental sorts of basic adjustments.

​A mansard loft conversion is built by raising the gathering divider (the divider imparted to your neighbors). The rooftop stays level, while one external divider slants delicately inwards. Mansards are regularly found at the back of the house, and in spite of the fact that they are reasonable for some, property types, they are generally famous in terraced houses.

​The most mainstream sort of loft conversion is a straightforward level rooftop dormer. This is an auxiliary expansion which extends vertically from the slant of the current rooftop, making a crate shape. This loft expansion by and large requires no emotional changes, and takes into consideration the establishment of ordinary windows.

Pros of a dormer loft:

• Adds useful headroom in a cramped attic
• Leaves straight walls and flat ceilings
• Creates a large amount of additional internal space
• Good light and ventilation
• Inexpensive compared to other choices
• Suitable for most UK house styles
• Often falls under permitted development

Cons of a dormer loft:

• Not always the most aesthetically appealing choice

​For a mid-porch period property, a L-molded dormer - which folds over the side and back of the property - is a mainstream adjustment. 

You may likewise wish to think about a gabled dormer, which has a progressively customary reversed "v" molded rooftop. This may be an all the more outwardly satisfying decision for the front of your property. In any case, it will in general be an increasingly costly choice, which likewise puts restrictions on headroom.

​Ideal for end of terrace and detached homes, a hip to gable loft conversion straightens an inwardly slanted end roof to create a vertical wall. This small change can make a huge difference to the feel of the living space inside, and is becoming an increasingly popular option for homeowners.
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​Perfect for end of patio and disengaged homes, a hip to peak loft conversion fixes a deep down inclined end rooftop to make a vertical divider. This little change can have an enormous effect to the vibe of the living space inside, and is turning into an undeniably famous choice for mortgage holders.
​Pros:

• Blends in with the existing home
• Can be combined with a rear dormer
• Suitable for bungalows

Cons:

• Not appropriate for mid-terrace homes
• More expensive than a dormer conversion
• Can feel imbalanced if your neighbour hasn’t had one

So have you ever moved house before? Most people have and to be honest it is an ordeal and a half. What you will find is that there are so many instances where moving house is not worth the time and effort that goes into such an activity.

However, if you are someone who can have a loft conversion, then you do not have to worry about moving house. Bespoke loft conversions Derby are a good way for people to try and find the best options for their lives. Let’s talk about some of the benefits and see if we can figure out why you need to have a conversion.  

So let’s take a look at what a loft conversion actually is to help you understand what you are getting yourself into. Do you have a loft? It’s usually just used as extra storage space, which is fine, but that’s not the full potential of the space. There’s still more that you can do with it.

So what we thought that we would do is take a look at loft conversions. This occurs when you transform a space into loft conversions Derby - a space which is radically redesigned to allow someone to use the room properly. You might want to use it for a bedroom, whereas some turn it into a casual space or even a bathroom. There are no limits, except the ones that you introduce yourself.  

So, you can probably tell that one of the big questions for anybody who has a loft conversion or is considering one is why. Why should you have a loft conversion instead of moving house? Well, there are quite a few benefits to think about, and so we thought we would list some of them here.

First of all, there is no need to move house. This may seem like quite an obvious benefit, but when you consider the full implications and ramifications of not moving house, you begin to see why it’s important to consider a loft conversion. First of all, you may have sentimental attachment to your home. You may feel safe and free to express yourself within your own walls, and this is a feeling that money cannot buy.

​At the same time, you only have to pay for the loft conversion. You don’t have to take out a second mortgage to pay for your house, you don’t have to pay legal fees to estate agents and you don’t have to pay to have all of your stuff moved from one place to the next. So in addition to the more sentimental benefits, we also have some economic ones as well.  

The other main benefit comes from financial incentives. We all want to save money. There is no doubt that a loft conversion can be an investment. However, it can also yield some financial rewards later on in life if you are prepared to see it through. Having another room in your property significantly increase its value if you ever want to sell and move on. Home improvements always enhance the value of your property.

Finally, you do have to look at the benefits of the extra space. It seems in modern life that we never quite have the space that we need. However, this is not such an issue when you have a loft conversion. It is no secret that a loft conversion can give you the extra space that you need. Because it’s just a blank room, the potential for what you do with the loft conversion is quite high. You could very easily transform it into a spare bedroom, a room for socialising in, or even a bathroom. As we previously said, there are no limits to what you can do with the loft conversion, which makes it a good choice for people who need the extra space.

A loft conversion is absolutely a good idea. It really does help to provide you with the resources that you need to be able to take the most opportunity of the space you have in your home. A problem that a lot of people have is that they do not ever take advantage of space properly.

​They always treat it as being some kind of issue, something that is wrong. No one stops and wonders how they can really get the most from space, so they don’t ever have enough of it. The loft conversion helps to change all of this, and gives you the freedom you could need to enjoy your space.

So in conclusion, there are a lot of reasons why he would benefit from having a loft conversion in your home. It’s much cheaper than trying to move house, and it gives you much more value on your property as well as giving you the extra space that you need. We all have this potential space sat waiting. No one looks at the loft and thinks of it as being an opportunity. It doesn’t even crossed people’s minds.

So, instead of trying to utilise their loft properly, people just move house. And this isn’t always the best plan. We cannot emphasise enough just how useful of conversion can be. It’s a great way of making sure that you have more space, that you can convert into any type of room imaginable. You might want another bedroom, you might want a socialising room, or you might just want extra bathroom.

The options are limitless, it’s because there are so many different choices that it’s easy for people to enjoy themselves. However, there is no doubt that a lot of people will benefit from having a loft conversion and thus should consider it for their property.

​Rather than leave your home, which has always been a place of safety and security, why don’t you instead think about just converting an existing area?

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Here’s an interesting-looking old relic someone has brought along to Antiques Roadshow (BBC1, Sunday). A tiny figure, in duck blue with matching hat. Looks very old, but still in reasonable condition. Worth an absolute fortune, round about £330m, the expert says.

Because she’s the Queen, the actual Queen, who just happens to be at Hillsborough castle at the same time as the AR. Well, it is her place in Northern Ireland. She drops by because, says Fiona Bruce, she’s a fan of the programme. Nonsense, I’ve heard from reliable sources that she watches back-to-back Family Guy and nothing else. While Philip is a Game of Thrones man, for the girls. He’s here, but kept safely back, in case of inappropriateness, I imagine.

So what does Her Majesty offer, then? They show her a horse, of course, a little statue of the 1863 Derby winner. “It sounds very incompetent,” she says, on hearing that the race had 32 false starts. And she mentions that Lady so-and-so, who used to own this silver christening cup, was her aunt. And that’s it. Well, she speaks in private to the experts, apparently, but nothing else on camera. That’s a bit disappointing.

So to the riff-raff then. What have they got for us today? Another little lady, almost exactly the same age as the Queen as it happens – an art deco figure called Starlight by Demetre Chiparus. And worth ... between £10,000 and £15,000! Look at her eyes, the eyes of the lady who’s brought it in, beneath the look-like-I’m-pleased smile … Was she hoping for 20? Is there just the teeniest hint of disappointment? Of course there is, there always is. To be honest, I’m disappointed too, after the way expert Will Farmer was bigging it up. I mean, 10 grand is nice, but not exactly life-changing, is it? No loft conversion.

What? It’s about finding out about the artefacts, not about the value? As if …

I’m also disappointed that no one ever admits they’re disappointed. Like this man with his daughter and their painting of a(nother) horse, by Wright Barker. They clearly don’t like it very much, and nor does expert Grant Ford, who can only come up with “colourful” to describe it. Anyway, it was bought by granddad in 1976 for £1,025 and now, says expert Grant Ford, it’s worth … £6-8,000. They’d probably have been better off getting an Isa, wouldn’t they?

I do like the man who found a special lock in a skip. When he discovers it’s worth £800, he tries to flog it to the AR expert. “That’s not our job,” says Ronnie Archer-Morgan, clearly a little affronted.

Hold up, what’s this though? A watch, which was in a terrible state, but has been restored to its former glory. It doesn’t do email, or GPS or measure your heart rate, but it was made by Cartier, not Apple. So it’s worth ... £40-50,000. Ha, there’s your loft conversion. Shame it wasn’t a hundred, though.

There’s a hint of Antiques Roadshow about The Real Noah’s Ark: Secret History (Channel 4, Sunday), but without any of the disappointment. Man brings to the British Museum an ancient clay tablet that’s been sitting in his suburban (and presumably unconverted) loft for years. Babylonian expert and rare Cuneiform reader Irving Finkel immediately recognises that it’s a retelling of the Genesis flood story. Or pretelling, as this predates any Bible version by more than 1,000 years. So the story was possibly adopted by early Hebrews living in Mesopotamia during the Babylonian captivity. Is that how the modern-day country got its name? I’m thinking about God’s anger and the type of vessel, I’m thinking Ire Ark …

That’s just my own personal theory; you’re welcome, Dr Finkel, happy to be of help. Anyway, the tablet doesn’t just tell the story of the ark, it gives instructions on how to make it. So guess what, Dr Finkel only goes and gets three men – Shem, Ham and Japheth (actually Tom, Eric and Alessandro) – to build one for him.

It’s a lovely mishmash of archaeology, mythology, ancient history, religious studies and naval architecture, culminating in the launch of this strange-looking, circular (that’s what the instructions said) vessel. Which immediately begins to take on water and sink. Maybe the bit about how to make it waterproof was on the part of the tablet that was damaged and illegible.
​
Anyway, the excellently bearded Dr Finkel, looking out from his modern-ancient ark, looks both very happy and very much like Noah.

Just 22% of people in Britain live in their dream home but many are taking steps to do so with planning applications rising for extensions, loft conversions and basements.

Research from Halifax Insurance also shows that living in an expensive home does not always mean it is a dream home with 62% owning a property worth more than £500,000 saying it is not idea.

A new kitchen is top of the list of those wanting to have a dream home and porches and conservatories have fallen in terms of popularity at a time when 22% of owner have spent at least £11,000 on improvements in the last two years.
But it is not just small jobs that home owners are opting for. The research also shows that planning applications for basements have increased, especially in London, up 183% in the last five years.

Overall, total planning application numbers have increased by 27% across the country while single storey extension applications are up by 49% and loft conversions by 43% since 2012.

In Barnet in north London the number of domestic planning applications reached a 51 month high in March last year while at the other end of the scale, Scotland’s Western Isles saw just 357 applications over five years.
​
There are, however, signs that enthusiasm might be cooling. From June 2016 to May 2017, the year on year increase in planning applications is less than 2%, a significant slowing from the 6% growth seen over the same period a year earlier.

London saw the highest increase in planning applications between 2012 and 2016 with a rise of 60%, followed by the East of England up 31% and the East Midlands up 28%. Scotland showed the lowest appetite for home improvements, with planning applications growing by just 3% between 2012 and 2016 and a fall of 1.3% between 2015 and 2016.
But while porches and conservatories are going out of fashion, they are still popular in Wiltshire and Cornwall while new kitchens are most popular in Edinburgh where they are 10% higher than elsewhere.

Garages and carports are also poplar in Cornwall where there have been 61% more applications than the next highest location and Derby has seen the greatest number of applications for both bedrooms and bathrooms.

While 37% of home owners want a new kitchen, the research also shows that 22% want bigger rooms, 19% want extra bedrooms and 17% want extra bathrooms. Indeed, an extra bathroom is more popular than a swimming pool.

Twice as many women as men would look for a separate utility room, while twice as many men as women want a games room. Yorkshire and the Humber have the greatest appetite for a ‘man cave’.

‘The way we live in our homes is evolving. Take the example of basements and the trend for extending downward. This is probably down to a lack of space in our cities and towns, and it represents a big shift in the way we think about our homes. If we look back to Georgian and Victorian times, the basement is where you’d have found the kitchen and the servants’ quarters and was certainly not viewed as a space to be used for family life,’ said Melanie Backe-Hansen, historian and author of House Histories.

‘The place of the kitchen has changed dramatically. In this study it takes the top spot on Britain’s dream home wish list, yet in historical terms the kitchen is a relatively modern invention. Where once you’d be lucky to have running water, today it is the ultimate status symbol and where we do most of our entertaining,’ she added.
Jeremy Ward, head of Home Insurance at the Halifax, pointed out that home owners carrying out work on their property need to let their insurer know and said there is concern that just 14% of home owners say they have notified their insurer before beginning work.

‘It’s imperative to have the necessary insurance policy in place whilst carrying out the work and equally important to update insurance when the job is complete as failing to do so will invalidate the policy. On the positive side, however, having a burglar alarm or CCTV installed as part of home renovations could help reduce premiums, and also provide extra peace of mind,’ she explained.

​Increasing numbers of homeowners are avoiding the expense - plus the physical and emotional upheaval - of moving house, by staying put and renovating instead.

In fact, the number of people choosing to do this has risen fivefold since 2013, according to a recent report by Hiscox Insurance - increasing from 3% of households to 15%, representing more than four million homes in the UK.
Supporting the notion that we're becoming a nation of home-improvers, figures from Halifax show that planning applications have risen by a quarter over the last five years. Meanwhile, Hiscox found the average budget for home renovations was around £16,100 for each project, although 18% of the householders surveyed expected to spend more than £25,000.

So what improvements are they making? According to the research, homeowners are most likely to either renovate a bathroom or add a new one, followed by kitchen improvements, installing a new boiler or central heating system, or creating more living space. However, not every home-improvement project will automatically add value to a property.

Add value to your property
"Cheap is cheap - nothing kills the value of a property more than doing cheap work in it. Estate agents have told me they've seen sellers with tears in their eyes, when they find out that construction work worth thousands of pounds hasn't added a single penny to their home," says Ash Chawla, chief executive of the design/build company Duke of Design (dukeofdesign.co.uk).

​"We live in a world which has become very aware and knowledgeable. There are no shortcuts to creating value to your home."

So, what does Duke of Design recommend? Here are six home improvements Chawla says could be a wise investment...

1. Conservatories
The simplest home addition is a conservatory, which Virgin Money research says can raise the value of your home by as much as 15% if it's included as part of an extension, or by 5% if it's just a simple conservatory.
Chawla says choosing the right materials can help conservatories blend well with modern and period properties. "The key is to use materials other than the commonly seen white UPVC," he says. "A muted, more sophisticated palette of taupe and grey-painted wooden frames camouflages itself in a natural setting, and the reflective properties of glass help it blend into the outside space more easily."

2. Extensions
Estate agents surveyed by Hiscox believe the best way of spending money on your home is by having an extension built, saying the addition of a new bedroom could boost the average home's value by 11.2%. They reckon a new kitchen, meanwhile, will typically increase a home's value by 5.5% (or £12,400 based on an average UK house price of £226,071), although 28% think a new kitchen can lift a home's value by as much as 10%.
Read MoreA single storey extension can be built in as little as three weeks once planning permission is granted, says Chawla, who suggests an average sized £30,000 single-storey rear kitchen extension on a £500,000 home can lead to a profit of £30,000-£35,000. "Aside from a rise in property value, you also benefit from a stunning home environment with added usable space," Chawla adds.

3. Remodelling
Remodelling an existing kitchen - by adding high quality units and flooring, purpose lighting and redecorating - could increase a property's value by as much as 4%, according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors - although Chawla warns that expensive purchases, such as kitchen units and flooring, should be kept in proportion to the value of the property.
"The most successful kitchen extensions consider the whole home," he explains. "By removing internal walls, you can connect the kitchen to the dining room, creating a functional space for entertaining." Alternatively, you may also choose to link the kitchen to the garden by using large windows or patio doors.

4. Garden landscaping
"Often overlooked, the garden can become the hub of home life and can work seamlessly with your home, as if brick and foliage were the most natural partners in the world," says Chawla.
For family-sized homes, ensure the outdoor space is suitable for the growing needs of a family with low-maintenance planting and landscaping, while a small courtyard garden at a city apartment may appeal to younger working couples. The cost of landscaping a garden can be as little as £2,000, but Chawla says spending a little more can lead to a potential return of £40,000 on a £500,000 house.

5. Parking
Most towns and cities have a parking problem, Chawla points out. "By providing viable parking facilities, you can increase your property price dramatically," he promises.
Read MoreYou could either convert land at the front or side of your property to add a driveway or parking space, or add a garage - possibly by converting an existing outside building, if there's suitable access, or by building a garage extension. Full garage conversions commonly add up to 8-10% to your property value, says Chawla, particularly in areas where parking is a premium.

6. Loft and basement conversions
The Hiscox report says loft extensions are the most popular planning request, and Chawla says loft conversions are usually less troublesome than basement conversions. They don't always require planning permission, although they do need to meet building regulations to be classed as a room. The Nationwide Building Society says the average cost to convert an attic is around £20,000, which rises to approximately £35,000-£45,000 if you're creating a dormer loft with double bedroom and bathroom.
Just boarding out the loft for storage is unlikely to make much impact on the price of your property, and Chawla stresses: "If financial gain is your goal, converting the loft into a usable room is the way to go. The benefits of adding an additional bedroom to your property can be huge - loft conversions can add as much as £65,000-£75,000 to your property value."
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An alternative is to add a basement conversion if space allows, but Chawla says this is a complicated procedure and potential problems, such as water ingress and foundation issues, can be major concerns.