Bathroom Planning Permission

It may be surprising but many existing bathrooms undergoing renovation actually do require planning permission. This can be for a multitude of reasons and these can also vary depending on the area you are in. Lighting for example, is one area which many households take for granted. Although usual lighting works can be carried out by your self, some lighting works require a qualified electrician or if it is to be done by yourself the local Building Control needs to be notified. Lighting jobs which require a qualified electrician include:

1. All jobs involving electrical wiring within bathrooms or shower rooms including modifications of existing electrical wiring.
2. Installation or modification of electric under floor heating.
3. Installation of modification of central heating.
4. All jobs involving Garden Lighting.
5. Power Installations.
6. All specialist installations such as Photovoltaic Solar power systems.

These regulations also apply to all DIY work so if you are planning on renovating your bathroom yourself or doing any other lighting job which falls under these definitions you will be obligated to submit a building notice to your local council as well as pay a small fee to have the work inspected and tested for safety. If you have carried out electrical work without the proper certification this can have a negative effect when you come to selling your home and will create problems with the sale. These guidelines are not just for show, installation of lighting in a bathroom is a tricky job and if done incorrectly can be extremely dangerous. It is advisable that if you are in doubt of your electrical skills, employ the services of a qualified electrician to do the bathroom lighting. If you think you can do it on your own, make sure you contact the local Building Control.

If you are building your bathroom in a new extension there are also additional regulations to bear in mind before you begin work. You must ensure your house extension and additional buildings do not exceed half the area of your plot of land. The extension also needs to be at least 20 meters away from any highway and not closer to the highway than your home is. Highway is general term used to define all public routes including roads and pathways. The extension must also not exceed 4 meters in height and must stay below the roofline of the home. These regulations can vary as additional changes are made country wide and locally. As all regulations can vary depending on the local council of your area it is advisable to contact the local council beforehand to discuss your project and any regulations you may need to consider.

Additional jobs such as window modifications, door movement, knocking down walls and even room conversions are very likely to require planning permission. For example, changing a garage into a habitable room (such as a bathroom) is considered a change of use and will therefore require planning permission for your local governing authority. Most bathroom conversions will require permission so always check first when planning your perfect bathroom.