Rooflights are a great way to improve your home. They bring in more light and create a sense of space which can completely change the character of a room. Of course, though, they’ll also alter the outside of a building, which leads many to question whether they need planning permission.
So, whether you’re just starting to consider a project or want to confirm the facts before you get any further, we’ll help you answer the question, ‘Do I need planning permission for a skylight?’
What Are the Government Guidelines?
In England and Wales, you won’t need planning permission for most skylights. However, the rules in Scotland are stricter, so it may be worth checking if and how planning permission applies to your home. The government also recommends using professional trades with accreditations from the likes of CIAT, FMB, or RTPI.
The Government’s Planning Portal states that in England and Wales, the following conditions apply to rooflights:
- They mustn’t protrude more than 150mm beyond the plane of the roof
- They can’t be higher than the highest part of the roof
- If it’s a side-facing window it must be obscure-glazed. If it’s an opening window it must be 1.7 metres above the floor level.
As long as your new rooflight complies with the above, there’ll be no need for planning permission. However, there are some exceptions that you’ll need to consider.
Rooflights in Listed Buildings or Conservation Areas
Before undertaking any skylight project, you should check with your local planning authority that there’s no Article 4 Direction on your property. An Article 4 removes the right to carry out a permitted development, such as a rooflight. They tend to be in place on buildings of acknowledged importance, so it’s common for Article 4s to be in conservation areas.
This direction is exercised by local councils to:
Protect conservation areas – For skylights this may be due to local councils who want to prevent historic structures from changing their facades.
Protect the High Street and local industry – Local councils often use this article to protect different uses in an area such as commercial or retail operations.
Preserve family homes – This can be used to prevent too many HMOs/subdivisions forming in an area.
With this in mind, If you want to install a rooflight on a building that’s under an Article 4, you’ll need to apply for planning permission.
Building Regulations
At Roof Maker, our windows are built to exacting standards with robust materials to provide light and heat. However, any window installed on your roof can affect the performance and integrity of your home as a whole. This is why ensuring that the roof continues to work as required is essential.
For this reason, even if you don’t need planning permission, you must consult the Building Regulations.
Parts J and L of those regulations cover requirements relating to energy efficiency, thermal insulation and the protection of the building against fire. Your rooflight will need approval under the regulations for the following reasons:
- The roof structure often needs altering to install a rooflight
- The roof will have to carry the weight of a new skylight, or be strengthened
- If a skylight’s close to a boundary, you must consider its fire performance
- The rooflight must have sufficient insulation properties to protect against heat loss
Regulations require buildings to be heat efficient, and Ug-values measure how much heat is lost through a building, with a higher figure meaning more heat is lost. Part L of the Regulations sets a maximum Ug-value for any building work. Our skylights have a UG-value from just 0.5 w/m2k, meaning they’re incredibly heat-efficient, and fall well within the requirements. We also offer four distinct Reflex® glass options which can be combined or selected individually to maximise the performance of your home.
Work with experts to avoid issues
As you can see, it’s important to consider every aspect before moving forward with your skylight installation. Wherever you live, before installing a skylight, it’s worth consulting your local authority to deal with any potential planning issues before work has begun.
As for the type of window, and where is best to install it, that’s where we come in. Our team has years of experience developing roof lanterns and skylights that flood your home with light while maintaining the integrity of your home.
Furthermore, we have a range of options from openable skylights to automated blinds, and bespoke coloured frames to name a few. If you’re interested in finding out more about the process or just want to know how rooflights can improve your home, contact our team today.
Updated 28/Aug/24