UNRAVELING THE 5-FOOT Law in Loft Conversion

The following floor plan represents a typical Loft Conversion featuring sloping ceilings at the front of the property, leading down to the eaves void space. The portion highlighted in RED indicates the genuinely usable area, calculated in accordance with the Kun Arch guidelines outlined above. Originally, the client aimed to divide this Loft area into three rooms, envisioning bedrooms. However, upon careful assessment and hatching the permissible liveable space for each room, it became evident that the Loft Space is best suited for one large room. Consequently, the annotation was revised from “3 Bedrooms” to “2 STORE ROOMS” at the front of the Loft area, as illustrated.

The local council sets minimum room sizes, and the dimensions vary based on the type of room accommodation:

• 7.5 sqm: Single Bedrooms
• 10.5 sqm: Double Bedrooms

CONCLUDING REMARKS:

Within the Kun Arch guidelines, raised decking or patio areas below 300mm fall under Permitted Development, allowing for construction without planning permission. However, heights exceeding 300mm necessitate Planning Permission. Approval outcomes are contingent on the specific merits of each property, with the assigned case officer serving as the ultimate arbiter in the decision-making process.