Do I would like planning permission to transform our storage?

I want to convert our indifferent storage on the finish of our backyard, and for it to incorporate a bathe room. Do I would like planning permission? R.E

MailOnline Property professional Myra Butterworth replies: If you might be fascinated about changing a storage, there could also be a possibility to do it with out involving the planners when you maintain the modifications minimal.

The secret’s to not change the usage of the storage in a method that requires planning permission.

We converse to a planning professional about what this implies in follow and the place the restrictions lie for such a conversion.

Homeowners could must submit a planning utility in the event that they convert a storage

Martin Gaine, a chartered city planner, explains: Since the Covid lockdowns, there was a surge in curiosity within the conversion of garages and different outbuildings into residence workplaces, gyms and even into residential annexes to offer a bit of additional residing house and privateness for youngsters or aged dad and mom.

According to the Town & Country Planning Act 1990, inner modifications to an present constructing don’t want planning permission. 

So, you’ll be able to add a bathe room to your storage so long as you aren’t making any exterior modifications (reminiscent of changing the storage door with home windows).

If you do wish to brick up the storage door and add some home windows and a entrance door, you’ll not want planning permission so long as the storage meets the final permitted improvement guidelines for outbuildings. 

For instance, it can’t be greater than 2.5 metres tall if situated inside two metres of any of the boundaries, and it can not take up greater than 50 per cent of the backyard space. 

If it would not meet the entire necessities, you might must submit a planning utility. 

If you might be not sure, contact your native council for recommendation earlier than beginning any works.

You additionally should be cautious that you just don’t change the usage of the storage in a method that requires planning permission.

The storage should proceed for use in a method that connects it to your occupation of the primary home.

It can be utilized as a fitness center, retailer room, residence workplace and even as a little bit studio flat, so long as it’s by members of your personal family and it doesn’t change into a very separate residential unit.

You will want planning permission If you wish to create an annexe after which lease it out to non-public tenants on long run contracts or to brief time period guests on web sites like Airbnb.

Rules: The storage should proceed for use in a method that connects it to your occupation of the primary home, reminiscent of a fitness center

In most instances, it’s unlikely that the native council would grant planning permission for the usage of a storage as a separate unit. 

The planners are involved {that a} new home within the backyard would intervene with the primary home on the entrance of the plot, and that it will hassle the neighbours and create issues when it comes to parking.

Council planners might be fairly suspicious about how owners are utilizing their garages and sheds, and a few councils have particular planning enforcement groups particularly focusing on outbuildings. 

They are nervous that owners are putting in showers and kitchenettes in an effort to lease them out, creating poor high quality ‘beds in sheds’.

Despite their suspicions, you don’t want permission to make use of your storage as residing lodging so long as it’s utilized by your personal family in connection together with your occupation of the primary home.

Martin Gaine is a chartered city planner and creator of ‘How to Get Planning Permission – An Insider’s Secrets