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Architectural services

Do I need planning permission? - Flat roof terrace replacement - 2nd floor

Anonymous user 09/03/2024 - 3.15 PM

Flat roof terrace (decking and trellis on top of a felted flat roof with UPVC door access already in place, from the lounge) This was already here when I bought the flat just under 2 years ago (It has apparently been there 10+ years but I was told that it never had planning permission) However, the flat roof felt now needs replacing and the existing decking is rotten in places and needs to be removed. I would like to replace this terrace with a new one, with planning permission if this is required which will therefore increase the value of the property. I have had a builder / roofer agree to to the job, I'm just waiting for his quote but I want to double check if I do need planning permission as he said that I don't. And how do I go about this? Where do I start? I hope someone can advise me. Thank you.

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3 Answers

Yorke Architecture Ltd

Rating: 4.9 out of 5

Doncaster

If there is no approval in place then your best course of action is to gather evidence of it having existed for over 4 years. If you can gather this evidence successfully then apply for a certificate of lawful development for an existing use. This is much more likely to be successful than a planning application, for many reasons which I won’t go into here. You would be well advised to employ a planning consultant to deal with the application as you can easily say the wrong thing and it can’t be unsaid!

Answered22 October 2020

BBA

No reviews yet

Teddington

Sharone, the easy way is to check your sell/buy agreement and description of the property. Also, you can check with the council planning portal for the property history for any existing/historic alterations or planning applications. If you are leasing the property, the landlord should be able to advise you regarding the history of the property too. If you find nothing, indicating that there was a roof or any other structure, you would be able to proceed with simple maintenance works. However, as you have mentioned before, if you feel that simple planning application would increase the value of the property in the future, you may be able to proceed with the application as existing condition.

Answered20 October 2020

Lee Davidson RIBA

Rating: 4.7 out of 5

Salisbury

Asides the legality of the existing terrace, my first concern would be safety. The roof may look safe to walk on, but has it been designed to be walked on? Only a Structural Engineer will confirm this for you. And is there sufficient existing balustrading to pass current UK Building Regulations ? An Architect will be able to check compliance here for you. You mention the roof is felted, A felted roof is not considered a wearing course, this means you will be damaging the roof covering by walking on it. A damaged felt covering will eventually lead to water egress to the flat below. An application for a Certificate of Lawfulness could be applied for is th terrace doesn't have existing consent. An Architect will prepare and submit this on your behalf, a fee of £600 would be reasonable. Lee Davidson RIBA

Answered27 October 2020