The end of loft conversions?
June 5, 2007 by admin
Filed under News, News-Mortgages
Builders are warning that a new government white paper, touted as making it easier for people to renovate their homes, will in fact make such work much harder.
The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) is warning that impact tests, included in the white paper, are likely to prevent mortgage holders from carrying out work such as loft conversions.
The white paper says that developments which have more than a “low impact” on the wider neighbourhood will need “specific planning permission from the local planning authority”.
This, says the FMB, could effectively spell the end of loft conversions.
“It is quite devious how the Planning White Paper has emphasised the removal of planning permission for home renovations whilst at the same time hiding the effective removal of permitted development rights for loft conversions,” said Brian Berry from the FMB.
“By applying the impact test to front or side roof extensions and to rear roof extensions that are less than one metre from eaves, ridges, verges or party walls, the proposal effectively wipes out all loft conversions in built up urban areas.”
Mr Berry went on to point out that loft conversions are becoming more popular among homeowners as it is often more financially viable to renovate a property rather than move house.
