[Ste7en]

Got a big pile of information from the local council regarding converting an intergral garage to an AV room. God, it's complicated!

Do I need full planning permission or just a notice of works?

I understand about the regulations regarding insulation, windows and flooring etc. but this other stuff is really doing my head in!

[Miniholic]

You may get away with just building regs for the change of use, but I think it's down to the local planning authority. It also depeneds on any other work you have done in the past, as you are allowed to do a certain amount under permitted development.

[paul1967]

Keep the door shut and tell em nowt, nothing winds me up faster than a unelected civil servant telling me what i can and cannot do to my house,

[clockworks]

I converted the garage at my last house (Milton Keynes). I left the garage door in place, building a partition wall 6 feet back. This left a fair sized workshop.
The room was drylined and insulated, the floor raised, central heating installed and a rear window fitted. I didn't tell anyone. No problems at all when I sold the house.

As long as you comply with building regs (they are there for a reason - mostly safety and environmental), that will probably be enough.

I sold the house 8 years ago, things may have changed now.
If the house is listed, you will definately need planning permission.

[woody67]

Originally Posted by Ste7en

Do I need full planning permission or just a notice of works?

Are you confusing Planning Permission with Building Regulations?

You may not need PP unless there is a condition on the original permission for the house (mainly new estates since mid '80s), or if there is some specific local policy. It would be rare though

With Bregs, you can do a full plans application or as you mentioned just a Building Notice were you basically tell them that you are starting some controlled work and they will check things as you build.

[Flashman]

Hi, we moved into our house last August. The house had a detached double garage which the previous owner had converted into an office/annex.

Basically, the two front garage doors are now upvc windows and a door, there is a large upvc window in the side and a upvc door at the rear.

Its got a ceiling with halogen downlighters, all walls are plasterboarded and painted and its fully carpeted.

When we were going through the solicitor bit, it all checked out as "permitted development", so no problems at all.

It's now a fantastic detached Home Cinema/Kids (My!) playroom....

Even better as I can watch a movie with the volume wound up and it doesn't disturb the kids or the wife in the house!

[diesel]

I don't honestly know whether it needs PP or not. You could ring the planning department and pose the theoretical question. At the end of the day, you don't need to tell them who you are or indeed where you live

I do know that if you don't get PP, do the conversion and receive no complaints within four years, then you get to keep it.

I can't remember what the policy is called, but it definately exists. I read about it all the time in 'Homebuilding & Renovating'. I think the only exception is if the house is listed.

The flip side of the coin is that if someone does complain and you fail to get retrospective planning permission, the Planning Department can make you re-instate the garage.

TBH, unless converting the garages would mean parking your car(s) on the road, I doubt you would have a problem with getting PP.

HTH Andy B

[louishm]

Originally Posted by diesel

You could ring the planning department and pose the theoretical question. At the end of the day, you don't need to tell them who you are or indeed where you live

i tried this one (not giving them your details) for a small extension at the back of my house, but i was lucky they asked for my details (name,address) and the planning dept did an online land registry search and told me i didnt need planning just regs(lucky)....But i did ask the question...what if i just build it and dont tell anyone? they told me the time limit for complaints was 6 years,,,,so i think most councils will be different.

[woody67]

There are several certain time limits but generally, with unauthorised (structure) works the limit is four years for the LA to take enforcement action. With change of use its ten years - but this would not apply to residential properties ie garage conversions.

However after this time the works will remain unauthorised, its just that no action can be taken. A retrospective application will tidy things up, legally

The LA can/should only take action if it is in the public interest and if the works would not have been authorised if an application was made at the time. It is expensive and they have to consider the public funds.

It is very, very unlikely that the person answering your call will record your details and check up on you. Address details just help to give more comprehensive advice on your particular property.

[Ste7en]

Thanks guys, there's more than enough to think about there!

The house had a conservatory built a few years ago, which could cause a problem regarding premitted development.

My pops is banging on about keeping the garage door there and building a wall inside, so there is room to store bikes etc. but I'd like the room to be as big as possible. For a garage it's not a 'bad' size (19+ foot long) but there is a boiler at the back which we are gonna build a walk in utility cupboard around so I'd rather not shave any more room off it. We could move the boiler upstairs but I'd like to extend above the garage in a few years time (5 - 7ish), which would make that external wall an internal one!

We have a drive which is long enough to park two cars on so I don't think that parking would be an issue. Besides, nobody in the entire estate actually uses their garages for cars anyway.

Gonna have to read up some more on it all and possibly make a couple of telephone calls.

I'll keep you guys posted.

Cheers guys!

[louishm]

good luck ste7en.
keep us posted and dont forget the pics

[TiSwAs]

Originally Posted by paul1967

Keep the door shut and tell em nowt, nothing winds me up faster than a unelected civil servant telling me what i can and cannot do to my house,

Agreed - went through hell trying to get plans passed for an single story extension - wouldn't mind if everything they did was fair and consistant.

[Miniholic]

Originally Posted by TiSwAs

Agreed - went through hell trying to get plans passed for an single story extension - wouldn't mind if everything they did was fair and consistant.

Try building your own house, that gets really interesting. I'm at the appeal stage now with mine.

[grantsteve]

Originally Posted by woody67

There are several certain time limits but generally, with unauthorised (structure) works the limit is four years for the LA to take enforcement action. With change of use its ten years - but this would not apply to residential properties ie garage conversions.

However after this time the works will remain unauthorised, its just that no action can be taken. A retrospective application will tidy things up, legally

The LA can/should only take action if it is in the public interest and if the works would not have been authorised if an application was made at the time. It is expensive and they have to consider the public funds.

It is very, very unlikely that the person answering your call will record your details and check up on you. Address details just help to give more comprehensive advice on your particular property.

This member doesn't say that they are a planner but from the look of the post it sounds like they are. As a planner myself I would say this is pretty much spot on.

The only question now is which side of the fence does woody67 operate on?!

[woody67]

Originally Posted by grantsteve

The only question now is which side of the fence does woody67 operate on?!

I sit on it, but could be tempted to either side in the right circumstances

[Ste7en]

Well, a building notice was sufficient. We just received a notice confirming that the submitted form was "accepted as satisfactory" - as was the fee of 117.50 GBP.

"Upon commencing work and during construction, you should notify the Authority at the above office to arrange for inspections to be carried out. We should receive your notification before 9.30am on the day you require the inspection."

Stages which you are required to notify the Authority are as follows:

Commencement
(48 hour notice before commencing)
Excavation
Foundation
Oversite
Drain Laying
Drain Testing
First fix of electrical installation (in BOLD)
Inspection of Structual Beams etc.
Dampcourse
Completion
Advice Required

All electrical work required to meet the requirements of Part P (Electrical Safety) must be designed, installed, inspected and tested by a person competent to do so.

I hope this helps anyone else befuddled with the initial stages.

We have had a slight change of plans. Rather than install home cinema specific fixtures (a raised stage, downlighters, uplighters etc. were all considered at some point)
we have opted or a basic room. Which would hopefully not have a detrimental effect on selling the house - if we ever decide to move.

I'm thinking of installing plastic pipework under the flooring through which I can thread cables etc. rather than putting them in the walls. Which could make it easier for cable upgrades in the future. Any suggestions/recommendations?

I'm currently considering upgrading the surround cables to either Kimber 4PR or Kimber KWIK-12 - from the now 79 strand shop branded ones.