In most cases, no. Replacing a roof with materials that look similar to the originals is usually covered by permitted development, so you don’t need planning permission. You may need permission if your home is listed, sits in a conservation area with extra controls, or if you change the roof’s shape, height or appearance.
Quick answer:
Dorset has many protected areas, from historic town centres to the Dorset National Landscape. Before any roof work in these areas, it pays to check with the council. You may need permission if you plan to:
Your local planning authority is either Dorset Council or BCP Council, which covers Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. If you are unsure, ask them before work starts. Work carried out without the right consent may have to be undone at your cost.
Planning permission controls how your home looks and how it affects the area. Building Regulations control how safely and efficiently the work is done. A like-for-like re-roof usually doesn’t need planning permission but may still require Building Regulations approval.
If you replace more than 25% of the roof covering, the work must meet Building Regulations, including current insulation standards. A change to a heavier roof material may also need a structural check. Roofers registered with a competent person scheme can self-certify the work, so you do not need to apply to building control yourself.
Listed buildings need listed building consent for most roof work, even repairs that change materials. Some conservation areas in Dorset, such as parts of Wimborne, Dorchester and Swanage, have Article 4 directions that remove permitted development rights. Always check with the council, and use a roofer with experience of heritage materials such as natural slate and clay tiles.
Replacing a flat roof like-for-like, such as old felt with new felt, EPDM or GRP, usually needs no planning permission. It may still need Building Regulations approval if you replace more than 25% of the area. Turning a flat roof into a pitched roof normally needs planning permission. See our flat roofing services for options.
No. Normal repairs using matching materials do not need permission.
Usually yes, if they do not stick out more than 150mm and do not face a road in a conservation area.
We advise on what your project needs and provide the completion certificate where required.
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Extreme Pro Roofing are roofers in Dorset providing professional roofing services including roof installation, roof repairs, roof maintenance, flat roofing, chimney repairs, leadwork, fascia, soffits and guttering, dry verge and ridge installation, conservatory roof replacement, loft conversions, Velux window installation and 24/7 emergency roofing across Dorset, Bournemouth, Southampton and Salisbury.
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