Home  5  Books  5  GBEzine  5  News  5  HelpDesk  5  Register  5  GreenBuilding.co.uk
Not signed in (Sign In)

Categories



Green Building Bible, Fourth Edition
Green Building Bible, fourth edition (both books)
These two books are the perfect starting place to help you get to grips with one of the most vitally important aspects of our society - our homes and living environment.

PLEASE NOTE: A download link for Volume 1 will be sent to you by email and Volume 2 will be sent to you by post as a book.
Buy individually or both books together. Delivery is free!


powered by Surfing Waves




Vanilla 1.0.3 is a product of Lussumo. More Information: Documentation, Community Support.

Welcome to new Forum Visitors
 Join the forum now and benefit from discussions with thousands of other green building fans and discounts on Green Building Press publications: Apply now.




Building Regulations and Standards: Minimum building size house conversion

Bottom of Page

1 to 12 of 12

  1.  
  1.  
    It appears our local council have dictated a minimum conversion size for a 1 bed flat of 55m2 plus a min ceiling height of 2.4 mtr. Is this typical throughout the country and how do old cottages cope with low ceilings.
  2.  
    Posted By: renewablejohnIt appears our local council have dictated a minimum conversion size for a 1 bed flat of 55m2 plus a min ceiling height of 2.4 mtr. Is this typical throughout the country and how do old cottages cope with low ceilings.

    Quite easily - old cottages exist as dwellings, so no problem (retrospective regs are generally not allowed). If you wanted to convert a barn with a low ceiling (non dwelling property) to a new dwelling with a low ceiling it would get refused.
    Over here you need a certain %age of ceiling height over 2.7mtr. (the exact amount escapes me for the moment)
    • CommentAuthorDarylP
    • CommentTimeNov 27th 2013
     
    IIRC minimum ceiling heights have been removed from Building Regs, EXCEPT at stairs?
    So why are the 'Council' insisting on a min. ceiling height?

    Good luck:smile:
  4.  
    Posted By: DarylPIIRC minimum ceiling heights have been removed from Building Regs, EXCEPT at stairs?
    So why are the 'Council' insisting on a min. ceiling height?

    Good luckhttp:///forum114/extensions/Vanillacons/smilies/standard/smile.gif" alt=":smile:" title=":smile:" >


    Do you have a date when it was removed from building regs
    • CommentAuthorDarylP
    • CommentTimeNov 27th 2013
     
    Hmm not sure, 2008? I know lots of Archs still think it is there, but have subsequently found it not.
    I don't think it is in AD L1A/B, but a call to your local BCO might be worth it.
    Sorry I could not be more helpful..
    Cheers:smile:
    • CommentAuthoratomicbisf
    • CommentTimeNov 27th 2013
     
    My ceilings are 8 feet (very close to 2.45 m, but definitely built in imperial) and while certainly not high seem significantly higher than some newer houses (say 1970s - 90s) I have seen. I'm not sure if this is a trick of the room proportions or not.
  7.  
    Anybody know what the RICS recommended area is for a 1 bed apartment I am sure its far less then 55m2 especially some of the rabbit hutches I have seen in London.
    • CommentAuthorPaulJ
    • CommentTimeNov 28th 2013
     
    RIBA recommend a min of 50m2 for new build. 55m2 in unusually large for 1 bed.
  9.  
    Which Council is it?

    Some have policies designed to discourage conversion of small houses into flats. Some seem to ban kitchen-diners, unless there is a 'separate living room'.

    Localism principles may tend to support their right to decide so converters could be on a sticky wicket.

    Parker-Morris was 30sqm for a one bed iirc.

    How many parking spaces do they require per 1 bed flat, and how much 'storage' and 'outside' (not including dustbin) space ?

    F
    • CommentAuthorCWatters
    • CommentTimeNov 28th 2013 edited
     
    Do you have a date when it was removed from building regs


    I'm not sure there ever was a min height in the Building Regs (except over stairs).

    Edit: I'll try and check that. Meanwhile I found..

    http://www.homebuilding.co.uk/advice/existing-homes/extending/20-things-you-need-know-extending-your-home

    Minimum Ceiling Heights Although the legal minimum ceiling height has now been removed from the Building Regulations, there is still a practical minimum height and this is especially worth thinking about in attic and cellar conversions. All rooms should normally have a floor to ceiling height of at least 2.1m throughout (standard ceiling height is 2.4m). In rooms with sloping ceilings, at least 50% of the floor area should normally have a floor to ceiling height of at least 2.1m.


    Page 15 here refers to 2.0 meters over landings. Landings include a small area of hallway at the top and bottom of stairs. The 1.8m rule for headroom over stairs is only really permitted in certain places such as loft conversions.

    http://www.southampton.gov.uk/Images/Loft%20Conversions%20and%20the%20Building%20Regulations%202000%20(inc%20L1a%20Rev)_tcm46-161536.pdf

    Elsewhere there are posts from pre 2004 that say there is no general minimum in the Building Regs.
    • CommentAuthorCWatters
    • CommentTimeNov 28th 2013
     
  12.  
    It's a long time since I was in Housing Management, but IIRC we had 35m2 for a 1-bed 1-person (1B1P) and 45 for a 1B2P.

1 to 12 of 12

  1.  
Add your comments

    Username Password
  • Format comments as
 
Back to Discussions Top of Page
   
The Ecobuilding Buzz
Site Map    |   Home    |   View Cart    |   Pressroom   |   Business   |   Links   
Logout    

© Green Building Press