Garage conversion refusal - next steps

cramped

Hi

Long post, sorry!!

I live on a new housing estate, our house was built 6 years ago. We have a 3 storey, 3 bed house. The garage is downstairs along with the kitchen and downstairs wc. 1st floor there is Living room and a bedroom, 2nd floor is a bathroom and 2 bedrooms and an ensuite.

We have 4 children, and as they are growing older, we are outgrowing the house. Unfortunately, due to the current economy we cannot move. We wanted to convert the integral garage into a bedroom but had to get planning permission as there was a condition put on the estate when they were built that any change to parking spaces required planning permission.

Planning was refused, so we appealed. That was also refused as it would mean the house would go down to only having one parking space.

We then noticed that a house down the street had converted their garage. I rang the planning office to ask why they were granted permission, to be told that this house didn't have permission. I then lodged a complaint and they said they would investigate. Every few weeks I emailed them asking if they had come to a conclusion. Eventually I received a letter saying that the investigation was closing as garage conversions do not need planning. I rang the planning officer, and reminded him that the estate had a condition attached. He then said he would reopen the case. I emailed him a couple of months later but received no reply. My husband then emailed him from his work email address (he works for a solicitors) and he replied almost immediately saying he would be in touch as soon as he had any news.

More than 8 months has now passed and we have still not heard anything. I have looked online at the planning website and their doesn't seem to be any planning applications on the house. Why are the planning dept not investigating?

So my question is... Shall we just go ahead and convert our garage seeing as our neighbours seem to have got away with it?

If we get building regs in, will building regs guys talk to planning dept?

Any advice?

BitterAndTwisted

Why do you think that the planning folks aren't investigating? I doubt your neighbours have got away with it. Not yet.

You must have thought that this three-storey three bedroomed house was big enough for you six years ago or less. Why isn't it big enough now?

Were you aware of the development restriction when you bought this house? If not, why not?

LordSVS

Don't go ahead with it, unless you want the local authority to tear it down!

LordSVS

cramped

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

Why do you think that the planning folks aren't investigating? I doubt your neighbours have got away with it. Not yet.

You must have thought that this three-storey three bedroomed house was big enough for you six years ago or less. Why isn't it big enough now?

Were you aware of the development restriction when you bought this house? If not, why not?

Dear BitterandTwisted,
Wow, you really are as your name suggests!!

I have no idea why planning aren't investigating my neighbours, it seems like they can't be bothered!!
How long before my neighbours have got away with it?

6 years ago, the house was big enough for our family of four, but just before we moved in we found out I was expecting. Then several weeks after the move we discovered it was twins! We then just thought we'd stay there for 5 years and move on. But unfortunately the economy changed and it is an impossibility to move now.

We never even considered changing the garage into a room, we were glad of the storage space, so the condition on the house was not relevant to us at the time.

Hope this clarifies!!

Better_Days

I don't know if this would be possible or practical, but could you make an appt to speak to someone at the planning dept to discuss the issues surrounding what has happened. You may find that the planning officer may be prepared to give you more of a feel of what is going on than they will commit in writing. Prepare by printing out a copy of the relevant regulations from your LA planning portal on their website and have a list of questions. You may also find out the reasons for the delays, eg staffing, complexity of unexpected factors, lack of co-operation from relevant parties.

BTW, I have a friend with 7yo twins, and goodness they are a lot of work! They extended upwards into the loft, but as they are in Wales their application had to go to the Welsh assembly :shocked:

cramped

Better_Days wrote: »

I don't know if this would be possible or practical, but could you make an appt to speak to someone at the planning dept to discuss the issues surrounding what has happened. You may find that the planning officer may be prepared to give you more of a feel of what is going on than they will commit in writing. Prepare by printing out a copy of the relevant regulations from your LA planning portal on their website and have a list of questions. You may also find out the reasons for the delays, eg staffing, complexity of unexpected factors, lack of co-operation from relevant parties.

BTW, I have a friend with 7yo twins, and goodness they are a lot of work! They extended upwards into the loft, but as they are in Wales their application had to go to the Welsh assembly :shocked:

Thank you for your reply.
Yes, the twins are hard work, plus we have an 8 year old and a 12 year old!! Life is just hectic but lovely!!!

We discussed going to the planning dept again, but we just feel now like if you can't beat em join em!! Part of me wishes we'd never asked permission in the first place, because we are the ones who are suffering and this family of 4, have all this extra space!

Another option we are considering is to convert but still keep it as a garage from the outside, but change the garage door to a glazed garage door. But then, for it to pass building regs, would that be sufficient?

I don't know what to do but its exhausting me now

googler

Shame the council into action by involving the local press?

Photos in the press of you looking glum with 3 children sharing one bedroom..... all children sharing one playroom, etc etc

anotherginger

cramped wrote: »

...we are the ones who are suffering and this family of 4, have all this extra space

You seem to be very bitter about your neighbours. They aren't the ones who are causing you to suffer, nor is the planning department. You just feel that the house you bought doesn't suit your wants.

A 3 bed house for 6 isn't unheard of. Hopefully you and your partner have taken the smallest bedroom so that the kids can have some space.

The planning department may not be telling you anything about their investigation because it is an issue between them and your neighbours?!

VfM4meplse

cramped wrote: »

Dear BitterandTwisted,
Wow, you really are as your name suggests!!

I'm sure I said something similar once, but B&T really does speak sense 99% of the tiime!

If there is a covenant on the estate, would waiting until this expires (presumably in 3-4 years time) be an option if moving isn't? I've always felt that my house (a new build) is too small for me, but it is manageable if I clear out alll my unused junk. Freecycle is great for that sort of thing!

Emmzi

whack on a conservatory instead.

phead

cramped wrote: »

More than 8 months has now passed and we have still not heard anything. I have looked online at the planning website and their doesn't seem to be any planning applications on the house. Why are the planning dept not investigating?

Have you checked the planning website? They normally publish a list of infringements where action is being taken along side the meetings from the planning/development committee.

If it doesn't appear on there then they don't care, you might as well go ahead and do it.