Exemption Query

Gumbo

Here’s one guys. Haven’t come across this before.
Home owner wants to convert their existing side garage to habitable use.
Usual exemption criteria is being met but they want to replace the garage up and over door with a typical front entrance door instead of a window.

Any reason they can’t do this?

sydthebeat

That's one of those questions where the answer can change like the wind.

The change of use should be considered exempt (once all usual conditions met) so the question is, is the new door exempt?

My first impressions is, why do you need a door there? Would the council grant a section 5 on it? I've seen grants of permission for similar before, but they have required the removal of these "secondary access" doors.

If it were a window you can argue the usual "ancillary development" to a conversion from garage to habitable. I'm not sure you can argue that here, unless there is a very very good reason for it ie wheelchair access because the exist doors and internal arrangement don't difficult for disabled access, of something similar.

If there's a new door here, is the real reason behind the convention to rent the room independently?

muffler

I would agree with the above. The conversion is to allow the garage/new room(s) to be integrated into the parent dwelling and as said dwelling already has a front door then a second front door would require PP.

I suppose different LAs could well take different views on this (as they have historically demonstrated) but as you know the only sure way to find out is a S5 application. My money would be on PP being required.

Gumbo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123945241#Comment_123945241

That’s my understanding of it too. Conversion with window is the norm. And easily exempted.

The owner wants a door for access but my opinion is that’s not specifically exempt either. Getting an opinion through the S5 process could be the answer here alright.

Thanks.

DOCARCH

I didn't check (now) but I do remember, at least a couple of years ago, SDCC had this on their exempt development/planning FAQ, in relation to garage conversions, that adding a window to the front (of the converted garage) was exempt, whereas, adding a door to the front (of the convereted garage) was not.

What part/criteria of the exempt development regulations that was based was not clear! Possibly/probably individual local authority policy?