One of the first questions homeowners ask is whether planning permission is required for a loft conversion. The great news is that, in most cases, you won’t need it—thanks to something called Permitted Development (PD) rights.
However, there are exceptions, and it’s important to check early in the process. At Loft Box, we focus on streamlined loft conversions that typically fall under PD, but it’s ultimately your responsibility to confirm whether planning permission is required for your specific property.
To make this easy, we’ve broken down the steps you can follow to find out quickly and confidently.
How to Check if You Need Planning Permission
Step 1: Find Your Local Council
Use this tool to locate your local planning authority: Find your local council
Just enter your postcode, and it will take you directly to your council’s website.
Step 2: Look for Planning Constraints or Designations
Once on your council’s website, head to the Planning section and look for any of the following pages:
- Conservation Area Maps
- Article 4 Direction Notices
- Planning Constraints Map
- Interactive GIS Mapping Tools
You’re checking to see if:
- Your property is located within a Conservation Area
- Your property is affected by an Article 4 Direction (which restricts PD rights)
If neither applies, your loft conversion will most likely fall under Permitted Development.
Step 3 (Optional): Contact the Planning Department
If you’re unsure what you’re looking at or if the maps are unclear, your local planning team can help.
Contact them via phone or email and ask:
“Can you confirm whether my property is in a Conservation Area or affected by an Article 4 Direction?”
Have your full address and postcode ready when you get in touch.
Step 4: Make a Note of the Outcome
Here’s what to look for based on your findings:
If your property is not in a Conservation Area and has no Article 4 Direction:
Your loft conversion is likely covered under Permitted Development, and no formal planning application is required.
If your property is in a Conservation Area or has an Article 4 Direction:
You’ll likely need to apply for planning permission before proceeding with any work.
Still Not Sure? Try Pre-Application Advice
If you’re uncertain after reviewing the information, most councils offer a Pre-Application Advice Service.
This gives you a chance to speak with a planning officer or submit your query online. They’ll review your address and proposed works and confirm whether you need planning permission.
- This service usually costs £50–£150
- It’s often quicker and cheaper than submitting a full planning application
- It gives you peace of mind before starting the build
A Quick Tip from Loft Box
At Loft Box, we specialise in standardised loft conversions that typically fall within Permitted Development rules—meaning most clients don’t need planning permission.
However, to keep things streamlined and efficient, we do not handle planning applications directly.
That’s why it’s important that you confirm your planning status before we begin.
It’s usually a quick and simple check—but one that ensures your project gets off to the right start.
Ready to Get Started?
Once you’ve confirmed your planning status, we’ll take care of the rest!
