What is a Certificate of Lawfulness?

A Lawful Development Certificate (Proposed) is formal confirmation from your local planning authority that, based on the drawings and information submitted, the proposed work would be lawful without a planning application. It isn't planning permission, and it only covers what was applied for — but it is useful evidence when you come to sell your property.

Do I need a Certificate of Lawfulness for a loft conversion?

It is not mandatory, but we always advise our clients to obtain one. Solicitors representing a buyer will almost always require documentary evidence that the loft extension is lawful, and the certificate also helps in the event a neighbour queries the work.

How do I get a Certificate of Lawfulness?

We submit an application to your local planning authority through the Planning Portal or council website, alongside drawings of the existing/proposed development and a site location plan. An officer will then assess the application.

How much does a Certificate of Lawfulness cost?

We include the drawings, structural calculations and submit the applications for your LDC and building control. Certificate fees and inspection fees are payable by the client — Fees change and are confirmed at submission: in England the statutory fee for a proposed LDC is generally half the equivalent planning application fee, with any online service charge separate. Building control fees vary by borough.

Can the loft conversion be started before the Certificate of Lawfulness has been approved?

We always advise clients to wait until the certificate has been properly issued. We prepare the drawings and submission in approximately 1–2 weeks; the council decision period is separate and can vary.

Do I need to notify my neighbours? (Party Wall Act)

If your home is semi-detached or terraced, you'll need to notify neighbours under the Party Wall Act. Most loft conversions involve alterations to party walls to support steel beams, so a Party Wall surveyor may be required.

What building regulations do I need to consider?

Loft conversions always need building regulations approval, irrespective of whether planning permission is required. We prepare building regulations plans, structural specifications and calculations to ensure compliance.

LoftPlans — Loft Conversion Drawings & Plans | Essex, London & Hertfordshire

Our Loft Plans Package

Fixed Price For Most Properties

At Loft Plans, we provide clearly scoped, fixed-price packages for loft conversion drawings and technical coordination. The initial planning/design stage is £950; on full-planning cases a further £550 is payable after approval for Building Regulations drawings and structural calculations, making the total coordinated package £1,500. Council and building-control fees are separate.

And now, with our 3D Visualisation Tours, you can step inside your future loft conversion before construction begins, visualising every detail of your design in stunning 360° clarity.

Planning Drawings

Planning Drawings Only

Ideal if your loft conversion requires a planning application — for example properties in conservation areas, flats, split houses or designs that fall outside permitted development. We produce the existing and proposed architectural drawings needed to submit your application to the local authority.

From£950

Tailored for 2/3/4-bedroom terraced and semi-detached properties across London, Essex and Hertfordshire.

What's included

Full measured survey
Existing floor plans and elevations
Proposed floor plans and elevations
Roof layouts
Site and location plan
Planning application submission & council liaison
Revisions to meet planner feedback

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Full Loft Conversion Package

Many house loft conversions can be carried out under Permitted Development when the relevant limits and conditions are met. We check the planning route for your property and can prepare a Lawful Development Certificate application where appropriate. We recommend going straight for the full package from the start: everything you need to take your project from concept all the way to construction, with no surprises.

Total coordinated package£1,500

Tailored for 2/3/4-bedroom terraced and semi-detached properties across London, Essex and Hertfordshire.

Everything in Planning Drawings Only, plus:

Full measured survey
Initial Planning Drawings
Existing & proposed floor plans, elevations, roof layouts, site & location plan.
Liaising with Local Authorities
We handle all planning and approval processes.
Planning & Building Control Applications
Submitted and managed for you.
Building Regulations Drawings
Ensuring compliance with UK standards.
Structural Calculations
Prepared by structural engineers and coordinated with the loft design.

Get a quote

Please note: Our package includes managing your planning and building control applications and liaising with local authorities throughout the process. However, it does not cover the fees charged by your local authority for application submissions.

With extensive experience in preparing loft conversion plans and working closely with local councils, we handle all the necessary paperwork and ensure your applications meet regulatory requirements. Our team takes care of the entire process, so you can focus on your loft conversion project with complete peace of mind.

Our specialist package coordinates the drawings, structural information and submissions needed for a loft conversion. If you are comparing different types of designer, read our guide to whether you need an architect for a loft conversion.

Premium Add-on

3D Visualisation Tour

See your loft before you build it. Bring your loft conversion to life with our 360° 3D Visualisation Tours, allowing you to see and experience your new space before construction begins.

Immersive & Interactive – Walk through your future loft and explore every angle
Plan Your Layout – Visualise furniture placement and bathroom layout
Understand head height and sloping ceilings
Reduce Costly Changes – Identify potential design issues before building starts
Accessible on Any Device – Walk through your future loft from your phone, tablet, or computer anytime, anywhere

Already have loft drawings? We can create a 3D tour using your existing plans — all we need is your loft floor plan and section.

Revisions: Please provide detailed preferences upfront, as revisions will incur additional costs due to the time-intensive process required to implement changes. Given the complexity of creating 360° visualisations, even minor adjustments require significant rework, so it's essential to finalise as many details as possible from the start.

Add 3D Walkthrough+£300

360° View

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How it works

Our Process

Our entire process is designed to make things as quick and simple as possible for you. We take on all of the stress, leaving you to just approve the designs and look forward to a new living space inside your home.

After the survey, we will draw up plans of the existing layouts and elevations so that we can progress to the design stage of your new loft conversion.

We will submit the relevant application to the local authority, whether that be an application for a Certificate of Lawfulness (Permitted Development) or a Full Planning Application, and we will monitor this application for you, dealing with any queries the local authority may have.

We prepare planning or LDC drawings and submissions in approximately 1–2 weeks after the survey. The standard statutory determination period for a typical householder planning application is usually 8 weeks, although councils can take longer. Council and building-control review periods sit outside our preparation time.

1
Get in touch
Our surveyor visits your property to take detailed measurements and assess the conversion potential.
2
Draft Drawings
We prepare the planning or LDC drawings and submission in approximately 1–2 weeks after the survey.
3
Planning Submission
We manage planning and building control applications, handling all queries with local authorities.
4
3D Visualisation (Optional)
Step into your loft design with our immersive 3D Virtual Tours — ideal if you want to visualise the space before fully confirming your layouts.
5
Structural Calculations & Building Regulation Drawings
For suitable Permitted Development projects the technical package can be prepared in the same design period; after full-planning approval it is finalised within a further few working days.
6
Move to Construction
Once approved, your plans are ready for your builder to start the project.

Why Choose Loft Plans?

We know the loft conversion industry inside out

Our specialist focus is loft design, drawings and technical coordination. We prepare practical information for planning, building control and your chosen builder; Loft Plans does not carry out the construction work.

This experience means we understand what works, how to maximize your space effectively, and how to tailor designs to fit your budget, especially for more complex projects.

During your survey, we can walk you through your staircase options and determine the best position and design on the spot. This way, you'll have a clear understanding from the very start, avoiding surprises later when you receive your drawings and realize the staircase takes up more space than expected—preventing unnecessary revisions.

Our specialist loft focus combines design work with practical construction knowledge, helping us prepare clear, buildable plans while considering space, materials and budget from the outset.

Many house loft conversions can be carried out under Permitted Development when the relevant limits and conditions are met and rights haven't been removed. We check the planning route for your property before drawing.

Where planning permission is required, we handle the entire process, liaising with local authorities to keep the application as smooth as possible.

Get in touch

How We're Different...

No Hidden Fees
Many companies lure you in with cheap initial drawings, then surprise you with expensive add-ons. With us, your complete package includes everything you need to move to the build stage.
Fast Turnaround
Planning or LDC drawings and submissions are prepared in approximately 1–2 weeks after the survey.
Practical Technical Knowledge
We focus on loft conversions, so the drawings are developed around usable space, approval requirements and information your builder can work from.
360° Visualisation Tours
Step inside your future loft conversion before construction begins. Our immersive 3D visualisations let you see every detail in stunning 360° clarity, so you can design with confidence.
Complete Planning Support
We manage every step of your application, including liaising with local authorities to address any queries.

Printed copies included

Every client receives printed drawings — delivered free, ready for your builder.

Designs & Styles

Loft Conversion Types

We design all major loft conversion types.

New to lofts? Start with our loft conversions guide.

Dormer Loft Conversions

The most popular option, offering increased head height and maximising usable floor space. Perfect for additional bedrooms, home offices, or bathrooms. Often eligible under permitted development.

Dormer Loft Conversion guide →

Pitched Roof Dormer Conversions

Ideal for large footprints or high pitched roofs, and sometimes required in conservation areas. Makes an attractive feature and can be combined for varied designs.

Velux Loft Conversions

A budget-friendly option that retains your existing roof structure with no external alterations. Best for properties with sufficient ridge height.

Velux Loft Conversion guide →

Hip-to-Gable Loft Conversions

Extends the sloping roof into a vertical wall, transforming the hip end into a gable. Ideal for end-of-terrace or semi-detached homes with a hip roof.

Hip-to-Gable Loft Conversion guide →See a real project →

L-Shape Dormer Conversions

Perfect for Victorian and Edwardian properties. Maximises space — often allowing two bedrooms and a shower room. A practical choice for significant added living space.

L-Shape Dormer Conversion guide →

Mansard Loft Conversions

Built to the rear with a near-vertical back wall and flat top, creating generous, well-proportioned rooms. Box dormer windows sit vertically for plenty of natural light and a seamless look — often needs a planning application.

Mansard Loft Conversion guide →

Want to see finished work? Browse our loft conversion portfolio.

Help

Frequently Asked Questions

In England, many house loft conversions can fall within Permitted Development under Class B (roof enlargements) or Class C (rooflights) of Part 1, Schedule 2 of the General Permitted Development Order — but only if every relevant limit and condition is met and the rights haven't been removed. Limits include a 40 m³ volume allowance for terraced houses and 50 m³ for other houses (previous roof enlargements count towards this), no enlargement of a roof slope on the principal elevation facing a highway, no extension higher than the existing roof, similar materials, and obscure-glazed side windows. Conservation areas, Article 4 directions and flats or maisonettes change the position. We check your property first and usually recommend a Lawful Development Certificate, which we can apply for as part of our package.

Get in touch

Get in touch today

Send us a few details about your property and we'll be in touch to arrange a survey.

Service area: Essex, London & Hertfordshire
Email: loftplansuk@gmail.com
WhatsApp: 07818 321263
Phone: 07818 321263
Turnaround: Drawings and submission in approximately 1–2 weeks after survey

Loft Conversion Drawings & Plans Essex, London & Hertfordshire

Fixed Price For Most Properties

Planning Drawings Only

Full Loft Conversion Package

Transform your loft.

3D Visualisation Tour

Get in touch

Our Process

Get in touch

Draft Drawings

Planning Submission

3D Visualisation (Optional)

Structural Calculations & Building Regulation Drawings

Move to Construction

We know the loft conversion industry inside out

How We're Different...

Loft Conversion Types

Dormer Loft Conversions

Pitched Roof Dormer Conversions

Velux Loft Conversions

Hip-to-Gable Loft Conversions

L-Shape Dormer Conversions

Mansard Loft Conversions

Frequently Asked Questions

Get in touch today

Areas We Cover