Changing Dormer height mid-build????? HELP!

[SlightlyJaded]

Hello

Can anyone offer me a quick answer to this?

We have planning permission for a loft extension (under permitted build I think? their reference suggests so: LD02CDevt/Permitted Class B Roof Extensions)

Due to an unforeseen joist issue internally, we are about to lose some of the ceiling height where additional beams are needed internally and so will currently end up with the whole thing being the dormer height of around 2.1m. This isn't what I'd planned/signed off as the original plans had some parts of the original roof at full ceiling pitch.

What we'd like to do is increase the height of the whole dormer, I've been calling the council all week and have had no reply and we need to call it in the next day or two. As long as we are still within the guidelines of permitted development, can we do this? Do I need to consult neighbours or is this opening a can of worms? We are talking around a meter (which would still be lower than top of the pitch of the roof.

Sorry for such a dull question - but don't know where to ask.

I’m not an expert! But assuming no local restrictions etc, I always understood the permitted development rules about roofs being about added volume. If your build doesn’t add more volume than the limit you are usually ok. It sounds like you have a certificate of lawfulness which is a thing where the council say “that fits within the rules” ahead of work starting. So if you proceed without a cert you do so at risk to an extent unless you are confident that you adhere to the rules.
If others on your street have done similar work to your larger dormer under permitted development you will likely be ok.
Don’t ask your neighbours, they may be lovely or they may make a fuss that they can’t defend and then you’ll feel bad.

If you are 100% sure it still falls within permitted development rights then don't do anything and just proceed

If you aren't sure then you will most likely need to apply for another certificate or worst case scenario a planning application

Don't speak to neighbours

Do you have the name of the officer who dealt with the case? You should contact them directly

Thank you

We are a semi so allowed to add 50m3 to the loft and this would just about be within the cubic space. The permitted rules say that no part of the new construction can be higher than the highest point of the roof - it wouldn't be and materials have to be sympathetic to original house - they would be.

So I am 99% sure it falls within permitted build but this is not the drawings our neighbours have seen and my worry is that we go ahead and increase the height and a neighbour kicks off and we end up with a retrospective problem (which I can't afford). The rest of the dormers as far up as I can see from the back of the garden and fairly uniform give or take a foot but I would honestly be gutted to be spending so much money to have a square box of a room which was never the plan.

There's also rules on distance between dwellings for dormers and I'm pretty sure adjusting the height will require sign off from the planning dept

@Loofah01

There's also rules on distance between dwellings for dormers and I'm pretty sure adjusting the height will require sign off from the planning dept

this is exactly the kind of tip I didn't want to hear but needed to hear. I'll go and research this, thank you.

@SlightlyJaded sorry :(