Photography pending — real completed loft conversion required (Tier 1 only, per Homepage freeze record)
Loft Conversions

Can your loft actually be converted?

Before you think about design, it helps to know what's actually possible. We help homeowners across Milton Keynes and the surrounding area understand whether their loft can be converted, then turn that into a plan that works.

This page is for homeowners considering converting an unused loft into a bedroom, home office or additional living space.

  • Dormer
  • Hip-to-gable
  • Rooflight
  • Mansard
  • Bungalow conversion

Whichever describes your project, the first real question is usually the same one.

Loft suitability

Is your loft suitable for conversion?

Before design begins, a few things decide whether a loft conversion will work: your existing head height at the ridge, the type of roof structure you have, whether your preferred dormer falls within Permitted Development, and where a new staircase can realistically go. Getting these wrong after committing to drawings is the most common way loft projects stall. Read more on Planning Permission vs Permitted Development →

Decision diagram: whether a rear dormer falls within Permitted Development, or requires a full planning application.

Long description. Starting from an existing house, a rear dormer loft conversion is proposed. If the dormer stays within Permitted Development limits, it qualifies for a Lawful Development Certificate, known as an LDC, confirming that no planning application is required. If it exceeds those limits, a full planning application must be submitted instead.

Every loft is different, so the first step is understanding what yours can support.

Our approach

We check feasibility before full drawings.

Rather than starting with detailed drawings, we begin with a feasibility review — establishing head height, roof structure, dormer planning route and stair position before any design work begins. Structural and Building Regulations coordination happen alongside the design, not after it, so nothing discovered late forces a redesign. Read more about our approach →

Once feasibility is established, here's exactly what happens next.

Annotated roof section drawing — pending (optional asset, Stage 5D)
How it works

What happens once you get in touch.

01

Initial Discussion

Understanding your objectives, the loft space and any known constraints before discussing the most appropriate route forward.

02

Feasibility

Typically 1–2 weeks — establishing head height, roof structure and which planning route applies before any detailed drawings begin.

03

Design Development

Initial ideas are refined into a coordinated proposal that responds to the roof structure, planning requirements and your brief.

04

Planning

Permitted Development or a full planning application — decided within a statutory 8-week period once submitted.

05

Technical Design

Building Regulations drawings and structural coordination, prepared so construction can proceed with confidence.

06

Construction Support

Where required, we continue supporting the project during construction, helping resolve design queries as they arise.

With the process clear, here are the questions we're asked most often.

Common questions

Questions about converting your loft.

Do I need planning permission for a loft conversion?

Not always. Many rear dormer loft conversions fall under Permitted Development, provided they stay within set limits on volume, height and roof-slope position. Front-facing dormers, and anything beyond those limits, usually need a full planning application, which local authorities aim to decide within 8 weeks. We check which route applies to your specific loft before you commit to detailed drawings.

Is my roof high enough to convert?

It depends on your existing head height at the ridge and the type of roof structure you have. Trussed roofs, common in newer homes, often need more structural work to convert than traditional cut roofs. We assess this at feasibility stage, before any design work, so you know what's realistic before committing to anything.

Will Building Regulations affect the design?

Yes — Building Regulations apply to every loft conversion, covering fire escape routes, floor strengthening, insulation and staircase dimensions. These requirements shape the design from the start rather than being fitted around it afterwards, which is why we coordinate them alongside the design work, not as an afterthought.

Where will the stairs go?

New stairs usually need space from the room directly below, and existing landings are rarely positioned for a compliant staircase. We identify the most workable stair position at feasibility stage, since it's often the detail that decides how much usable space the conversion actually adds.

Do I need to tell my neighbours about a Party Wall Agreement?

If your loft conversion involves work on or near a shared party wall — common in terraced and semi-detached houses — the Party Wall Act usually requires you to notify your neighbours before work starts. We flag this early in the process so it doesn't become a late surprise. Read more on Party Wall & boundaries →

If a project like this looks familiar, here's what it can look like once it's built.

Related projects

We've done this before.

Photography pending — real project photograph required (Tier 1 only)
Loft ConversionLDC ConfirmedOlney

Adding a Fourth Bedroom Under the Roof in Olney

A rear dormer conversion adding a fourth bedroom and en-suite, resolving limited head height by working within the existing roof pitch, with a new staircase positioned to avoid losing space from the room below.

View project
Additional case study — pending publication
Loft ConversionPendingLocation TBC

Case study coming soon

Additional case study — pending publication
Loft ConversionPendingLocation TBC

Case study coming soon

Every one of these started with the same feasibility-first conversation.

Want to understand more first?

That's fine.

Planning

Planning Permission vs Permitted Development: what's the difference?

Permitted Development lets you build without a full application, provided you stay within set limits on height, depth and materials. Planning Permission is required once a project exceeds them.

5 min read · Updated May 2026
Read article
Planning-category article — pending, once written
Planning

Article coming soon

Either way, here's what you should already understand by this point.

What you'll know before you get in touch.

  • Whether your loft has enough head height to convert, and what roof structure you have.
  • Whether a dormer is likely to fall under Permitted Development, or need a full planning application.
  • Roughly how long the process takes, including the statutory 8-week planning decision period if needed.
  • What the next step should be for your specific situation.

Let's find out what's possible.

A feasibility review is the fastest way to know what your loft can support, before you commit to anything else.

Arrange a feasibility review Send an email

Feasibility reviews are focused on understanding your loft and identifying the most realistic route forward.