Do I Need Planning Permission For a New Roof?

The roof on your house is so vital to its structure, protecting you and your family from the cold and wet weather conditions that we see almost throughout the entire year. This shelter means that you can stay warm and dry, but when faced with years of weathering – along with the potential of storm damage – having a new roof to replace your old one might be something you have to invest in to further protect your home.

If you neglect your roof, things will only get worse and the interior of your home will be compromised. Likewise, if you stick with a roof over many decades without ever making any changes, you could be falling behind when it comes to energy efficiency. This month at Bosaco, we’re going to discuss whether you need planning permission for a new roof, what replacing your roof involves and highlight the benefits of having the work carried out by a professional roofer.

What does having a new roof involve?

Firstly, let’s take a look at what a new roof – sometimes called re-roofing – involves. There are a number of stages to this process, but it should be pointed out that all roofs are a little different, as are the steps involved depending on the reasons for replacing your roof in the first place. 

The following is an illustrative guide of the basic steps you can expect.

• Step 1 – an assessment of your roof will be carried out to scope the work and the materials
• Step 2 – with the work agreed upon, scaffolding can be erected around your home
• Step 3 – anything kept within your loft space should be removed to make space to work
• Step 4 – your roof will be stripped back, often to the wooden joists unless these are also being replaced
• Step 5 – new materials are fixed into place to provide protection from the weather and to help improve the thermal efficiency 
• Step 6 – roof tiles or slate can now be installed, along with any leadwork, gutters and flashing
  

Now that you’re a little more familiar with the process, you’ve probably started to think about whether planning permission and building regulations come into this. It’s the next, natural step when thinking about having a new roof, so let’s dive in.

Do I need planning permission for a new roof?

You’ll be relieved to know that, in most cases, having your roof replaced falls within your permitted development rights. These are rights that were introduced to help make it easier for homeowners to maintain and adapt their homes within reason. There are, however, a few rules to keep in mind to stay within your permitted development rights:

• The new roof must not exceed the height of the highest part of the existing roof
• The roof slope must not extend further than the existing roof slope which forms the principal elevation of the house facing the highway
• No balcony, verandah or raised platform can be added
• The materials on the exterior must be similar to those already existing

That last point is pretty telling of what you’re allowed to do, since you don’t have to get the exact same materials, but you simply need to think practically about what is similar enough in order to maintain the look of your property in line with the local area. Having a new roof, as long as you’re not changing the size or the look of it drastically, should be simple enough to do without planning permission. You can even add skylights to your roof in some cases, within reason.

It should go without saying that the rules will be different for listed buildings. The same applies if you live in a conservation area. It’s for this reason that we always recommend you contact your local planning office to check that you have permitted development rights on your property before starting any work.

The benefits of a new roof

By now, the benefits of a new roof should already be clear – especially if you’re doing this research because your existing roof has seen better days. However, here are just a few of the benefits you can expect from getting a new roof:

• Improved energy efficiency rating
• Increased property value
• Watertight protection from the elements
• Health benefits through the prevention of mildew and mould 
• Peace of mind for years to come

Choose a reliable roofing company

If your roof has sustained damage, either over many years or in one event, you need a roofing company you can trust. At Bosaco, we provide a variety of roofing services to help keep homes in Nottingham in top condition. From roofing repairs and maintenance to the installation of a new roof, you can trust our expert team to get the work done to the highest standards and with as little disruption to your home as possible.

Contact us today to discuss your roof replacement requirements with our team and we’ll be happy to assist you wherever you are in Nottingham.