When is planning permission for a roof work required?

You do not normally need to apply for planning permission to re-roof your house or to insert roof lights or skylights.

The new rules introduced on 1 October 2008 allow for roof alterations without the need for planning permission, subject to the following limits and conditions:

• Any alteration to project no more than 150 millimetres from the existing roof plane.
• No alteration to be higher than the highest part of the roof.
• Side facing windows to be obscure-glazed; any opening to be 1.7m above the floor.
• The permitted development regime for solar panels has different limits on projections and in relation to protected areas.

Solar panels: for guidance on the planning and building regulations regime for solar panels see Common Projects section.

These permitted development rights apply to houses. If you live in a flat and are considering work on your roof you are advised to contact your LPA for guidance.

Building Regulations

If you want to carry out repairs on or re-cover less than 25 per cent of the area of a pitch or flat roof, you will not normally need to submit a building regulations application. You will need approval, however, if:

1. You carry out structural alterations
2. The performance of the new covering will be significantly different to that of the existing covering in the event of a fire
3. You are replacing/ repairing more than 25 per cent of the roof area, in which case, the roof thermal insulation would normally have to be improved.

There are separate rules for construction of new roofs.

When is planning permission for a loft conversion required?

Planning permission is not normally required. However, permission is required where you extend or alter the roof space and it exceeds specified limits and conditions.

Under new regulations that came into effect from 1 October 2008 a loft conversion for your home is considered to be permitted development, not requiring an application for planning permission, subject to the following limits and conditions:

• A volume allowance of 40 cubic metres for terraced houses
• A volume allowance of 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.
• Side-facing windows to be obscure-glazed; any opening to be 1.7m above the floor.
• Roof extensions not to be permitted development in designated areas*.
• Roof extensions, apart from hip to gable ones, to be set back, as far as practicable, at least 20cm from the eaves.

*Designated areas include national parks and the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, conservation areas and World Heritage Sites.
Common projects: Loft Conversion
Building Regulations

Building regulations approval is required to convert a loft or attic into a liveable space.

Building Regulations

Building regulations approval is required to convert a loft or attic into a liveable space.