Loft conversion in a conservation area

[TheRainFallsHard]

Hi

I was looking for some advice.
We want to convert our loft & after going to see the duty planning officer for pre application advice we applied for planning permission with a dormer window at the rear & 2 rooflights at the front.

The application was refused due to the rooflights. We then resubmitted an application leaving out the rooflights and the application has been rejected again except it's now the dormer window which is the problem. The dormer window is exactly the same in the 2nd application as it was in the 1st and it wasn't mentioned as a problem in the original rejection.

Is there anything we can do other than going through the appeal process as it feels illogical for the dormer to not be mentioned as a reason for rejection the 1st time but to be then used to reject the 2nd application.

Thanks

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

If the application has now been rejected officially then there is no redress other than appealing or applying again.

But why, during the first application were the drawings not just adjusted before the decision date to ensure an approval could be issued? Did the agent not bother speaking with the planners during the process and just wait for a decision to plop through his letterbox?

 

[TheRainFallsHard]

Unfortunately there was no indication given before the decision that the rooflights were an issue & in the past year houses in the same conservation area were given pp for rooflights & dormers.

We're really not bother about the roof lights it was more the fact the dormer wasn't an issue in the 1st refusal but it was in the 2nd although the only change to the plans were omitting the rooflights

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

You will have to appeal or re-submit.

The planners will only tell you they are minded to reject something if they are contacted and asked. They will not ordinarily contact the agent to let them know there is a problem in applications such as these unless provoked.

 

[TheRainFallsHard]

Thanks freddymercurystwin for your help. We're resigned to putting in a new application.

Would you know if it's usual to have a 2nd application rejected after it had been modified to take into account the original reason for rejection. We did speak to the planning officer after the 1st application was rejected & only the rooflights were mentioned as being a problem.

 

[napoleondynamite]

I would phone the Planning Officer. Ask them why the dormer was ok first time round but not the second time.

 

[TheRainFallsHard]

I did, they said it was a mistake

 

[tony1851]

Velux windows are allowed on any roof slope, even in a conservation area.

 

[ey143]

Velux windows are allowed on any roof slope, even in a conservation area.

Tony - do you know whether it is still acceptable to move a velux window (before it has been installed) 1-3m away from what has been shown on an approved planning application for a loft extension, without seeking an amendment?

 

[tony1851]

As a Velux doesn't need planning permission, you can pepper the roof with them, regardless of
the planning permission.

(this is subject to the caveat that your permitted development rights have not been removed either by an Article 4 Direction by the council, or as a condition on any previous planning approval for the property).

 

[ey143]

As a Velux doesn't need planning permission, you can pepper the roof with them, regardless of
the planning permission.

(this is subject to the caveat that your permitted development rights have not been removed either by an Article 4 Direction by the council, or as a condition on any previous planning approval for the property).

What I mean is, our previous planning application for our house remodelling, including showing the velux windows as shown below in the photo. If we want to either add a new Velux above the centre gable in this photo (so that our centre void in the hall way can get light right from the top), OR if we move the 3rd Velux on the proposed roof some 3m to the right, this will still be acceptable?

I understand you're saying this is PD, but could the council (or neighbours) complain that the final house doesn't match what they approved in the plan elevations. I thought you cannot match things which are ok under PD in granted planning approvals?

 

[tony1851]

Just apply for planning permission for the dormer if that's the main thing you want. Appeal if/when
they refuse it. If it's on the rear and not too big or out of sympathy, you may be lucky on appeal.

When this is resolved, install the rooflights on the front slope. I can't see why your plan-drawer
included them in the application in the first place.