Middlesex

Many of them benefited from the changes to the permitted development rules. Having existing extensions on the ground floor planning permission would have been a requirement that would have prevented many from being viable.

Most of the 1930s loft conversions require a hip to gable style conversions, which in some cases have provided two bedrooms and a shower room.  The need to convert lofts has changed in recent times. In years gone by when property prices have been on the rise, many loft conversions were built to increase property values as an a short or long term investment. With the current economic climate, which has cooled down the property market and now sees a decline in values, the needs have changed. Loft conversions have now primarily become a necessity for the increase in space and the uplift in value has fallen away as a driving motivation.

In many of the areas in Middlesex particularly in the Asian communities where families have traditionally remained together for greater periods, the demand for loft conversions has steadily increased.  Many families have, as a result in the market changes, needed to look after their extended families and create the extra space with ground floor extensions as well as loft conversions.  The changes to planning rules that took place in Oct 2008 have had a very positive impact on boroughs such as Middlesex with its abundance of 1930s housing stock. Many had already extended on the ground floor exhausting their permitted development rights and would have required planning permission.  The new rules have opened the door for many such homes and loft conversion companies.