Using a workshop with planning for domestic use

misshoney

I'm thinking of purchasing a property in a suburban area with a 500sq. foot workshop at the end of the garden. My plan would be to renovate the workshop without making any external changes and use it as a self contained flat which I would be hoping to let out to a tenant. I would comply with all standards when it came to light, ventilation, access etc. The existing structure (workshop) has planning. Does anyone know if I would need to reapply for planning/ change of use in order to make it a domestic dwelling? And if so, could anyone tell me what that would entail?

DOCARCH

misshoney wrote: »

Does anyone know if I would need to reapply for planning/ change of use in order to make it a domestic dwelling?

Yes.

You would have to show compilance with all current development plan standards for new houses, in terms of room sizes/floor areas, and for both the proposed house and your existing house, compliance with open/garden space, off street parking requirements, etc.

Victor

You don't mention whether the workshop is commercial or not.

You would likely need planning permission for sub-division (if residential) or change of use (if commercial). You will also need to comply with the building regulations and the minimum standards for rented properties.

misshoney

Thanks for your reply. Do you know does this mean we have to go through the standard application process of displaying a planning notice and putting an ad in the paper or is it at the discretion of a planning authority rep?Also we've got two conflicting opinions from two separate engineers on whether wed even have to apply for planning as 1 states the material use of change of the building isn't substantial enough and also on the county council website they state a substantial change to be ie a creche or a 4 bedroomed plus B&B where as ours would be a 1 bed annex.Thanks again for your reply.

misshoney

Hi Victor,I'm not sure if it was being commercially used but it's a stand alone single story building at the back of the garden with planning permission and was owned by a cabinet maker so i assume this was his workshop.

BryanF

misshoney wrote: »

Thanks for your reply. Do you know does this mean we have to go through the standard application process of displaying a planning notice and putting an ad in the paper or is it at the discretion of a planning authority rep?Also we've got two conflicting opinions from two separate engineers on whether wed even have to apply for planning as 1 states the material use of change of the building isn't substantial enough and also on the county council website they state a substantial change to be ie a creche or a 4 bedroomed plus B&B where as ours would be a 1 bed annex.Thanks again for your reply.

You need planning. 'Standard process' or whatever your referring to. You have either miss interpreted the eng or a/he is suggesting something illegal.

DOCARCH

BryanF wrote: »

You have either miss interpreted the eng or a/he is suggesting something illegal.

+1...or the engineer does not have a clue what s/he is talking about!