Future planning for loft - putting steel & floorboards & stairs (Permission needed?)

[noob17]

Hi,

Am in the process of refurbishing an existing house - the builder has suggested making the opening to the loft, adding stairs and steels & floorboards as we are already removing all the ceilings and re-doing them.

This would make the future loft conversion a lot easier as all we would need to do is build the dormer etc.

Now, i wanted to understand if planning permission is required to make the opening and add the steels? If so, how long does it take to get approved?

Based on the designs of the architect, he has stayed within the rules of permitted development (50cum detaached). Although he has suggested changing the side roof pitch to make it sharper to create a larger dormer.

I thought if the loft design is within permitted development, we can notify the council and within a few days start the process with building control?

I am not 100% sure of the process - i would appreciate anyone's insight on this.

Ultimately, i want to figure out the quickest and smoothest process to get the councils agreement and add the stairs + loft steels.

THanks

 

[frutbunn]

In theory you need to submit B regs 48 hours before commencing the work either with a building notice or full plans app. In practice though they are often submitted after the work has commenced.
Once the work has commenced there is no time limit to complete the work.

 

[DevilDamo]

@noob17 You’re getting confused between Planning and Building Regulations. They are very much different things and the rules and regulations associated with each are also very different. Read here...

https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200130/common_projects/36/loft_conversion (Planning)

https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200130/common_projects/36/loft_conversion/3 (Building Regulations)

 

[noob17]

Thank you @DevilDamo - looking at those links, i will need building regs approval (and was planning to use the councils building control).

Also, based on the architects drawings, i believe we meet all the requirements for permitted development (even though we wont be adding the dormer or changing the roof now). We purely want to add the steels and floorboards and add the stairs up to use the space as storage and then in the future consider doing the loft.

Am i right in saying that i need building regulations approval to ensure the new flooring is sufficient for storage / future loft conv?

 

[frutbunn]

Thank you @DevilDamo - looking at those links, i will need building regs approval (and was planning to use the councils building control).

Also, based on the architects drawings, i believe we meet all the requirements for permitted development (even though we wont be adding the dormer or changing the roof now). We purely want to add the steels and floorboards and add the stairs up to use the space as storage and then in the future consider doing the loft.

Am i right in saying that i need building regulations approval to ensure the new flooring is sufficient for storage / future loft conv?

I would suggest you apply for a full loft conversion, by installing the stairs, floor etc you will have commenced the application, there is no time limit on completely the work, this will also safeguard you against any future changes in B Regs as you will only need to comply with the regs applicable at the time of submission.

 

[DevilDamo]

Will you be able to achieve the regulated headroom without putting in the dormer yet, bearing in mind all the upgrade works will start to reduce your usable floor space?

 

[noob17]

Will you be able to achieve the regulated headroom without putting in the dormer yet, bearing in mind all the upgrade works will start to reduce your usable floor space?

Yes plenty of headroom without making any changes to the current roof as its very steep on all sides.

Agree with @frutbunn - sounds like a sensible approach, get the approval and then add the steels and make the opening.

 

[Nakajo]

I would suggest you apply for a full loft conversion

What exactly are you suggesting they 'apply' for, and to whom?

 

[frutbunn]

What exactly are you suggesting they 'apply' for, and to whom?

Building Regulations as referenced in the remaining part of the above reply you omitted and the OP's question I referenced and was replying to.
I made no reference to whom as in addition to local authorities there are many other private inspectors who carry out Building Control work, that decision is not mine to take.

 

[^woody^]

Building Regulations as referenced in the remaining part of the above reply you omitted and the OP's question I referenced and was replying to.
I made no reference to whom as in addition to local authorities there are many other private inspectors who carry out Building Control work, that decision is not mine to take.

I think he meant "what is being applied for?"

A random beam to support some unspecified thing that may or may not be done at some unknown future date, is not really under the remit of the Building Act, so can not be applied for, to anyone.

 

[Nakajo]

I meant what, how, and to whom. The OP mentioned PD, so the answer was unclear in that context.