Many loft conversions can be built without planning permission under permitted development rights, within limits: up to 40m³ of extra roof space for a terraced house and 50m³ for other houses, nothing higher than the existing roof, and nothing beyond the front roof slope facing a road. These rights do not apply in conservation areas. Read more in our planning guide for Wokingham Borough.
Conservation areas (4)
If your home is in one of these, a dormer or other roof enlargement will normally need planning permission:
- Wargrave
- Twyford Station
- Twyford
- Ruscombe
From each council's official list. Check Wokingham Borough's conservation areas. Boundaries can change, so check your address on the council's map.
Building control fees
Every loft conversion needs building regulations approval. The council's published charges for a loft conversion (including VAT):
Wokingham Borough Council (Building Control Solutions (shared service for West Berkshire and Wokingham))
- Extension or loft conversion not exceeding 10m²: £800 full plans, £880 building notice
- Extension or loft conversion exceeding 10m² but not 40m²: £1,055 full plans, £1,161 building notice
- Extension or loft conversion exceeding 40m² but not 100m²: £1,385 full plans, £1,524 building notice
Effective from 1 April 2026. Source.