Help with loft conversion

[thomasruston]

Hi everyone. I am looking to convert my loft into a more useable space. I am a complete novice to everything involved and jargon too so please treat me like an idiot. Basically my son wants to use the space for his remote control drift car and we need to make it as open as possible so we can start building the carpet tract together. The problem is all the collar ties and vertical supports. I am yet to pull the floor up and see how it is held together but I just want to know my options. Here is some pictures for you

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[freddiemercurystwin]

Respectfully, if you want to lose the struts you'll probably need to employ a structural engineer to design a solution, maybe add a few steels and have the work checked off by Building Control if not then forget it, it will just land you in a heap of trouble when you come to sell. Still interested?

 

[pdrights2013]

Just a word of advise concerning loft conversions.

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 details below:-


A volume allowance of 40 cubic metres additional roof space for terraced houses*
A volume allowance of 50 cubic metres additional roof space 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 original eaves

Its important to bear in mind that any previous roof space additions must be included within the volume allowances listed above. Although you may not have created additional space a previous owner may have done so.

Or that the property has had its permitted development rights removed. I would recommend discussing your proposal with your local planning authority before commencing.

A useful site for all information concerning permitted development rights is *******

hope this helps.

 

[luisdesign]

Just a word of advise concerning loft conversions.

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 details below:-


A volume allowance of 40 cubic metres additional roof space for terraced houses*
A volume allowance of 50 cubic metres additional roof space 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 original eaves

Its important to bear in mind that any previous roof space additions must be included within the volume allowances listed above. Although you may not have created additional space a previous owner may have done so.

Or that the property has had its permitted development rights removed. I would recommend discussing your proposal with your local planning authority before commencing.

A useful site for all information concerning permitted development rights is www.permitteddevelopment.net.

hope this helps.

Not really - the OP sounds as though he simply wants to change his existing loft space into a more open, habitable space as opposed to extend the loft space or add a dormer...

Work to the inside of your property does not fall under planning laws, as long as its not a listed building of course.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

A useful site for all information concerning permitted development rights is www.amateurwebsite.net.

No its pretty rubbish really.

 

[thomasruston]

Thanks for the advice so far guys, after doing a bit of research it seem i should be fine to re joist the ceiling (still trying to find out what size material to use) and remove the hangers and raise the collar ties to create a better space, even if i can get away with half the amount of ceiling hangers and just raise the collar ties that would be fantastic


opinions?

 

[luisdesign]

opinion would be as freddymercurystwin said - get a structural engineer in there to spec it all up for you safely.

Have a search around for a local engineer who can get to you easy.