Porches, Planning and Toilets...

ITtim

Hi, Appologies if i've posted this in the wrong area but i'm hoping for some advice.

I have just worked out that I can build a brick porch on the side of my house with out having to get planning permission. (I've had the discussions with my local council and It would seem I am within my requirements)

According to them I can just go ahead and build it. (I have to confess I feel a little nervous about doing so but they said it was fine...)

Anyway, My main question is...

If i wanted to add a toilet into this 'porch' at a later date would I need any kind of planning etc. My main worry is when we come to sell the house would i need any documentation.

Also do I need anything with regards to building regs? I've never done anything like this so its all a bit new to me.

nifferwilko

I'd phone your local council and ask to speak to someone with regards to building regulations.

I know that when you install a toilet, the building regs guy needs to sign off on it because of the sewage route and to check its been done properly.

I'm pretty sure that although you don't need planning permission for your porch, building regs still need to sign off on it as it needs to be strucually 'safe'.

Jennifer

ITtim

This is why im a bit confused, i asked the council if i needed to do anything and they basically said I could go ahead and that was it. thought that sounded a bit too easy

sham63

The porch is what's known as 'permitted development'. If you want to formalise this you can apply for a 'Lawful Development Certificate' from your planning dept (they should have told you this). Costs about £65 and you need to submit some basic plans. You then have a certificate to show purchasers in the future that it's all lawful.


Once the porch is finished - fitting a toilet is a matter for Building Control.

Your porch can only cover 3 squre metres and be no more than 3m high - it also can't be within 2m of the 'highway'. It also has to be outside an external door (to be a porch!).

seven-day-weekend

Your porch will be Permitted Development if it meets certain criteria and yes, you can just go ahead and build it if it is PD. (I used to be an Enforcement Technician in Town Planning).

Once it is built, putting a toilet in will not need Planning Permission but will need Building Regulations Approval.(This is different to Planning Permission).

The Permitted Development Criteria for Porches can be found on Page 11 of this document:

http://www.southampton.gov.uk/Images/Householders%20guide_tcm46-161098.pdf

ITtim

I presume i would need building regs for when i eventually sell the property? along with electrics being signed off? any idea how much it would set me back for building regs?

seven-day-weekend

I am not an expert in Building Regs but know a bit.

You will need to apply for Building Regs Approval before the job is done and then it will be signed off when the job is finished, and maybe inspected at various intervals while it is being done.

I do not know the charge I have a feeling it depends on the cost of the work, but I may be wrong. Check with your local Council Building Control.

ITtim

Think i'll get in touch with them today.

Thanks for that.