ABSTRACT
This chapter provides information on the key policies and issues associated with a loft conversion. The homeowner will be able to determine whether the proposal will be subject to planning permission and, if so, the necessary documentation and the course of action required. Because of the complexities of loft conversions and the necessary structural alterations, it is usually necessary to obtain professional advice from an architect, surveyor or structural engineer. Development Control by local authorities seeks to guide the way our towns, cities and countryside develop. This includes the use of land and buildings, the appearance of buildings, landscaping considerations, highway access and the impact that the development will have on the general environment. A loft conversion is considered to be ‘Permitted Development’, not requiring an application for planning permission.
