Material change of use advice

Countryripple

Hi all,

I recently got permission and built a garage / shed to the rear of my house. This is accessable by road and an open green area. There are a couple of larger, similar buildings at the backs of other houses that are used as commercial buildings. Workshops and showrooms I think.

A neighbour has approached me saying he might know someone who would rent some space in my shed to work from.

If i took up this offer, do i need to apply for planning permission again? The building would not be changed at all in any way. Or is it just a case that I can declare this to the co council and pay rates on it?

Any help appreciated. Thanks

sydthebeat

if the building becomes commercial you need Planning Permission, a Fire Safety Certificate and a Disabled Access Certificate.

Countryripple

Dissabled access really? Even it is just used by one person who is making some furniture or something?

sydthebeat

well good question, its required where there is material alteration and not just a material change of use.

i dont know exactly what you have planned.


If you are in any doubt as to the planning status you can apply to your local authority for a section 5 declaration.

Countryripple

Dont plan on changing anything. Its only been built. Guy just enquiring about using it as a workshop for himself as it is. Ill get onto the planners so. Just wanted to get myself some info before i had to talk to them. Thanks.

TCn1

I have a very similar but different question. I have a large garage in my garden in the countryside and currently use it for our household requirements, which includes repairing our own furniture and those of family & friends. I now want to start a small business doing this. The building is very suitable and will not need to be changed in any shape or form inside or out for me to do this. Would such a minor change of use need planning?

Thanks!!!

Aard

Essentially a residential to commercial change of use, therefore planning permission required.

TCn1

Thanks Aard very much!

arthur daly

Apply to the cc for change of use and start paying rates

TCn1

RATES????? For using part of my shed to fix furniture?

Aard

It sounds like it'll be a commercial activity.

sydthebeat

TCn1 wrote: »

I have a very similar but different question. I have a large garage in my garden in the countryside and currently use it for our household requirements, which includes repairing our own furniture and those of family & friends. I now want to start a small business doing this. The building is very suitable and will not need to be changed in any shape or form inside or out for me to do this. Would such a minor change of use need planning?

Thanks!!!

yes... rates.....

Gumbo

TCn1 wrote: »

RATES????? For using part of my shed to fix furniture?

You can't have it both ways. It's either your residential shed or your commercial business place of work.

You will also have to deal with the fire services act, health and safety etc etc

arthur daly

TCn1 wrote: »

RATES????? For using part of my shed to fix furniture?

It's done by the square meter too and I'm guessing the part of shed will have to be separated that you work in so no getting away with shoving everything into a corner and saying that's all I use.

If it were that easy everyone would be putting up sheds to work from.
Might want to look into insurance too

TCn1

Thanks for the feedback. It will be both a residential shed and a commercial shed as pleanty big for both. It already has the work benches and space tools etc as I do my own furniture there anyway.

In relation to the rates, I did not realise that these applied outside towns?

My wife has a full room in the house that she uses as an office for her employer's work - she works there about 4 days per week and the 5th day away - should she have planning permission for change of use also and rates?

Gumbo

TCn1 wrote: »

Thanks for the feedback. It will be both a residential shed and a commercial shed as pleanty big for both. It already has the work benches and space tools etc as I do my own furniture there anyway.

In relation to the rates, I did not realise that these applied outside towns?

My wife has a full room in the house that she uses as an office for her employer's work - she works there about 4 days per week and the 5th day away - should she have planning permission for change of use also and rates?

No. There's a % figure allowable for a home office. There's also income tax relief too IIRC.

but what you are doing is a conversion of a structure.

Maybe best to speak to a local architect.

TCn1

Hiya - thanks for that clarification on the home office. In relation to the garage, there will be no change whatsoever to the structure. It was built about 8 years ago at same time as house and is quite large with a number of large pvc windows and floors and walls insulated to housing standards 8 years ago. When I start doing the work commercially there wont be any change to the structure going forward . . . .

sydthebeat

That doesn't matter.

Its the change of use that matters.
If your running a business from our there will be increased traffic movements to and from it, There will be public people coming to you, there will be storage of materials on site, there will be the opportunity for expansion.

But most importantly, if you are creating an income from It, it becomes business and this has all the bells and whistles associated with business premises.

I'm not saying that I agree with this situation in a start-up..... but thems the rules

TCn1

Thanks a million for that!!!! It will be my work shop so there will be no customers or suppliers near the place and I will collect the minimal amount of materials each job as the materials need will depend on the job and every job will be different.

hexosan

TCn1 wrote: »

Thanks a million for that!!!! It will be my work shop so there will be no customers or suppliers near the place and I will collect the minimal amount of materials each job as the materials need will depend on the job and every job will be different.

DOESMT MATTER. no matter what way you word this you can't avoid it.