Need your help Guys Quick - Do i need planning Permission

ace2109

ace2109

ace2109

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Hi Guys,

We are renovating a large garage into a office space for a new business. The garage already has a 2 large rooms downstairs that was originally a workshop and of course the garage. It also has 2 large rooms upstairs that have been there from the garage was built over 25 years ago.

We are not making any big changes to the structure apart from installing 2 small windows close to the eves and also a standard size door at the back. We have also removed the large garage door and replaced this with a PVC window and door.

My question to you guys is, we want to put a shed to at the back of the garage for a staff area, this will be enclosed and we have cut out a door in the wall at the back to allow us access.

The problem is the old lady living behind the garage has said that we need permission to do what we are doing but my understanding of it is because the building at the back is more of a shed and not a permanent structure we dont need to get planning permission, and as far as the windows and other doors go and dont think we need planning permission for these either.

Am i right in saying this?

We have stopped doing anything just incase we do and of course we dont want to annoy the lady any more.

Hope you guys can help me.

regards
ace
 
Forgot to mention that we are keeping the garage door so that at anytime it can be turned back into a garage.
 
I think this is a case of ask the authorities, whether you need permission or not depends on a lot of factors, as does whether they will give you permission or not, shouldn't take more than a quick phone call to the Council(?) to find out.
 
Viper² said:
You don't need planning permission to build a shed.
Click to expand...

it is a good sized shed that can be removed if needed in the future, the whole idea of the project is that the guys working from it will probably only be there for a few years and then need to move to a bigger location so it can be removed.
 
Viper² said:
You don't need planning permission to build a shed.
Click to expand...

This.

Your garage may be a different issue though. I know you need permission to turn a residentially classed building into one that's for business use, and it's very hard to get permission to do this. Whether or not your garage will be subject to this I don't know, but you may find it is.

As said, ask your council as all will have different views on this anyway.
 
Get onto the council ASAP and find out for sure.

As it sounds like this old lady WILL be complaining if you go ahead, and if you do need permission for change of use then its going to be a ball ache getting retroactive permission.

I really cant see you being allowed to use a residential garage for a business without getting permission. You will also have to fully comply with building regulations and fire precaustions etc if you are having it as a work place for staff.

a lot depends on the official classification the building and land already has... residential or commercial?
 
There are peculiarities in different locations, so you can't make a broad statement about the situation. Generally you need change of usage for what you're doing, though.

Incidentally, where we live you do need planning permission for a shed over 6' x 4'
 
Change of use requires planning permission in 99% of cases, its also a pretty complicated proccess.

Be careful also that your mortgage (assuming you have one) allows for a business to be conducted from the property, some have an exclusion for this.

IIRC it'll become rateable (sp?) also
 
Windows almost always need planning permission, along with the other points above id seriously get in touch with them asap.
 
If it's a residential property, it might also be worth checking that there are no covenants detailed in the deeds restricting running a business from the property.
Oh, and building regulations could also apply... another one to ask your council about as it could be expensive otherwise.
 
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You'll need building regs, fire regs, change of use permission, and planning permission for the widnows in most regions of the UK, but it varies from council to council.

As for the shed, depends very much on your area and on visibility from front of property.
 
As above if your changing a building on residential land for business use then you will deff. have to do some background work/checks and planning permission...

As far as planning permission goes if your not changing the shape/size of the external structure or majorly changing the decoration, not putting in new windows in positions where there weren't windows before then you don't really need planning permission... if your putting in new windows that give a view point that wasn't available before especially if it overlooks someone elses land then you almost deff. will.
 
In Suffolk you can build a shed up to 30sqm but if you have existing out buildings these have to be calculated in as well. So basically you can't go and build 8 individual 30sqm sheds.

Also you will need to conform to building regs when doing the changes. I don't know wether you will or not but whatever you do don't touch the roof until you get some professional advice.
 
When my brother built his house he had apply for planning permission for a mobile home, which was only valid for 18 months. So I'd say yes.
 
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