Loft Conversion Planning Drawings
Planning drawings are the first set of plans for your loft conversion: what it will look like, how big it will be and how it sits on your roof. We survey your home, draw the existing and proposed layouts, and submit them to your council — either as a Lawful Development Certificate or a full planning application, depending on your property.
- Measured survey of your home
- Existing & proposed floor plans
- Elevations, roof plan & section
- Planning route checked first
- Council submission handled for you
- Planning drawings from £950
Not included
Council planning or certificate fees, and any online submission service charge, are paid by you and confirmed before we submit. Building regulations drawings and structural calculations are not part of this package — they are included in the full package from £1,500. Party wall matters are a separate process.
What you receive
- Measured survey
- Existing floor plans and elevations
- Proposed floor plans and elevations
- Roof plan and cross-section
- Location and block plans
- Application forms prepared and submitted
- Liaison with the planning officer during the application
- PDF drawings, plus printed copies
How it works
- 1
Get in touch
Tell us about your home and what you want from the loft. We'll confirm the price and book the survey.
- 2
Measured survey
We measure the house and roof space so the drawings reflect the building as it actually is.
- 3
Draft drawings
You receive first draft plans, usually within about a week of the survey, and can request changes.
- 4
Submission
Once you're happy we prepare the forms and submit to your council, and deal with any officer queries.
What planning drawings are for
Your council needs to see the proposal before it can confirm it is lawful or grant permission. Planning drawings describe the design — the size and position of the dormer or gable, windows, materials and roof heights — measured against your existing house. They are not construction drawings. They don't show beam sizes, insulation build-ups or fire protection; that detail comes later in the building regulations drawings and structural calculations.
When you need them
You need planning drawings for almost every loft conversion that changes the shape of the roof: • If the work is Permitted Development, to apply for a Lawful Development Certificate • If it isn't — for example a front dormer, a flat, a conservation area or an Article 4 area — to apply for householder planning permission • As the agreed design your builder and building control work from A rooflight-only conversion may not need a planning application at all, but drawings are still useful for building control and your builder.
Not sure which conversion suits your loft?
Get in touch — we'll measure up and tell you honestly what your roof can deliver.
Get in touchChoosing the right planning route
Before drawing anything we look at your property type, location and any previous extensions to work out whether the loft is likely to fall under Permitted Development or needs a full application. Getting this right first avoids redrawing and resubmitting later. If Permitted Development is unlikely, we design to your council's local policies and explain any trade-offs — such as a smaller dormer, a set-back from the eaves or matching materials — before you commit.
Where we work
We prepare planning drawings for homes across Essex, Hertfordshire and North and East London, from our base in Harlow. Each council has its own validation requirements and design guidance, and we prepare the submission to suit the authority your home falls under.
Frequently asked questions
What are loft conversion planning drawings?
They are the scaled existing and proposed floor plans, elevations, roof plan and section that show your council what the loft conversion will look like and how it relates to the existing house and neighbours. They are used for a Lawful Development Certificate application or a full householder planning application.
Do I need planning drawings if my loft is Permitted Development?
Permitted Development does not require a planning application, but you still need drawings to show the work meets the limits and to apply for a Lawful Development Certificate, which most homeowners do so they have formal proof for a future sale. Your builder and building control will also need a set of drawings.
How much do loft conversion planning drawings cost?
Our planning drawings package starts from £950. If you also need building regulations drawings and structural calculations, the full package starts from £1,500. Council application fees are separate and are paid by the homeowner.
How long do planning drawings take?
We aim to arrange the measured survey within about 3 days, subject to access, and send first draft drawings within around a week of the survey. You can then ask for changes before anything is submitted.
Are planning drawings enough to start building?
No. Planning drawings show what the loft will look like, not how it will be built. Before work starts you will also need building regulations drawings and structural calculations, which are included in our full package.
Can you guarantee my application will be approved?
No one can honestly guarantee a council decision. What we do is check the likely planning route for your property before drawing, design within the relevant rules and policies, and respond to any queries from the planning officer during the application.
See an example
A sample set of loft conversion planning drawings we've produced. Opens as a PDF in a new tab.
Get a quote for your planning drawings
Tell us about your loft and we'll come back with a fixed price.
Related services
Formal confirmation that a Permitted Development loft is lawful.
The technical drawings your builder and building control need next.
Permitted Development vs a full application, explained.
Beam and joist design by a structural engineer.
Ready to start your loft conversion?
Get in touch and receive your first draft drawings within 7 days.
Get in touch