Open petition: Allow small roof ridge increases for attic conversions in terraced houses

Created by Roger Tofft
Closes on 11 September 2026

Update national planning and permitted development rules to allow small increases to roof ridge height on terraced houses where attic space falls marginally below required headroom, provided there is clear street precedent and no adverse impact on neighbours or the street scene.

Many families living in terraced houses face rising living costs, growing households and limited ability to move home, making it increasingly important to adapt existing properties rather than relocate.

Current planning rules prohibit any increase to the highest part of a roof, even where attic space falls short of required headroom by as little as 20–50mm. This disproportionately affects terraced houses, particularly Victorian terraces.

Homeowners are therefore forced to lower internal ceiling heights to comply, creating cramped and poorly proportioned rooms without providing meaningful benefit to neighbours. Many streets already show variation in rooflines, and modest ridge increases would allow better use of existing housing stock while preserving street character.

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