Converting a house to flats by the planning back door.

antiskeptic

Concerned friend has a house a few doors up with planning in for two storey rear extension to a residential house. Rumour has it the guy has track record doing this but converting to flats afterwards. Then seeking retention.

Looking at the layout I can see their point. It has flat written all over it.

Assuming he builds it flat-right in terms of build/fire regs etc., is it conceivable he could get retention.
You'd have thunk the planners/ABP would take umbrage at the con and reject outright.

But maybe not?

kirving

Maybe I'm taking a simplified view on it, but IMO retention planning permission should be done away with overnight, and the structure be demolished.

I hear time and again about people building things that they know full well require planning, but giving two fingers to the law and effectively forcing the council's hand.

If there is an extremely good engineering reason why a change must be made, then there should be a facility for an emergency approval. Other than that, an example should be made for a few years of people who break the law.

Gumbo

antiskeptic wrote: »

Concerned friend has a house a few doors up with planning in for two storey rear extension to a residential house. Rumour has it the guy has track record doing this but converting to flats afterwards. Then seeking retention.

Looking at the layout I can see their point. It has flat written all over it.

Assuming he builds it flat-right in terms of build/fire regs etc., is it conceivable he could get retention.
You'd have thunk the planners/ABP would take umbrage at the con and reject outright.

But maybe not?

In a normal residential estate, no way he would get retention for the flats.
The best thing you can do is to Keenan eye on it and if it goes to construction pay a closer eye on it. If he constructs flats then get straight into planning enforcement and building control.

antiskeptic

kceire wrote: »

In a normal residential estate, no way he would get retention for the flats.
The best thing you can do is to Keenan eye on it and if it goes to construction pay a closer eye on it. If he constructs flats then get straight into planning enforcement and building control.

Its on an old terrace in an established residential neighbourhood. Hard one to keep track of - given that the layouts in planning app already lend themselves to insta-flat. Single door entrance off street is retained / he's blocking the route to what would have been the old return kitchen down the side of the stairs. The single remaining internal door from hall on ground floor could now become the front door to a flat. The only thing off plans now required is a door at the top of the stairs ... and then there were two!

You could do your fireproofing, exit signage and the rest without anyone on street having a clue.

Gumbo

antiskeptic wrote: »

Its on an old terrace in an established residential neighbourhood. Hard one to keep track of - given that the layouts in planning app already lend themselves to insta-flat. Single door entrance off street is retained / he's blocking the route to what would have been the old return kitchen down the side of the stairs. The single remaining internal door from hall on ground floor could now become the front door to a flat. The only thing off plans now required is a door at the top of the stairs ... and then there were two!

You could do your fireproofing, exit signage and the rest without anyone on street having a clue.

2 door bells
2 post boxes
emergency lighting at the front door
alarm sounder

There's a few obvious signs it has been sub-divided into flats that you can look out for.