House build extension not comply to plans but approved by private inspector?

advice_please_2

I know of a house someone is building an extension to

It first got refused on original plans by local authority planning and so they changed the plans to accommodate

But what I don't understand is that they are building the rejected plans, but apparently it is being signed off by each stage not by the council but by a private approved inspector?

Is this right, fair, subsequent issues when selling on land searches etc.?

manda1205

If they changed the plans to suit, then it does have planning permission. If you mean they are building to the old plans rather than the altered ones, then it's down to the council to inspect. But someone would have to report it to them for them to come out, as once planning permission is granted you never hear from the council again.

Building control is not always the local council, ours is a contractor for the council, so we have no dealings with the council for building control and anyway, they don't care what the actual planning permission is, their job is to make sure what you are building is safe and meets current standards.
As far as I'm aware it will have no effect on sale of house, land searches etc. No one checks through all old plans for planning permission. All anyone would be interested in is building control certificate.

Furts

Councils can take legal action for breach of planning, and home owners can be prosecuted. So, if you have genuine concerns bring this to the attention of the Council.

The flip side is Councils have limited staff, limited time and limited money. So prosecution is unlikely. But I do know of a house within a half mile of mine where a neighbour complained. A notice was served on the owner - basically a threat of action from the council. The walls were taken down, new foundations had to be dug...it cost the owner a small fortune, but he was taking the p-ss out of the system, so he received his come uppance.

There are time limits on all this, so nip matters in the bud whilst the building work is being done. Do this and you are highly likely to suceed. If you wait until it is finished you are likely to have a batttle on your hands.

advice_please_2

Thanks

So what you're saying once planning is granted they don't check after, all you need is someone able to sign off the building controls and is safe?

Let's say for argument sake a 1960 3 bed semi with garage on side
Original plans was to convert garage to a room and build a room on top and back into the garden. Let's say it got rejected as they needed a garage for parking and not allowed to go back due to whatever reasons and then submit another plan just to put a room above garage inline with house which gets accepted.

So if no one alerts the council you could just build the original plans, get rid of garage and extend far back as you like (as long as no one alerts council) and the building is built safe?

advice_please_2

Thanks
I've got nothing against it, but just intrigued

MX5huggy

As others have said you have to separate Planning and Building Control from each other. The two do not interact with each other and as in this case BC is not even being provided by the council.

Planning have to enforce planning breaches they get to know of these if people report them. It's not against the law to build a building without Planning, but you are likely to be issued with an enforcement notice which you do have to comply with.

cyclonebri1

advice_please wrote: »

Thanks
I've got nothing against it, but just intrigued

So you have viewed the plans and the revised plans?, you must have done.

And you have nothing against it?

I have a couple of comments;

If the 1st and now being built to plan was rejected by the planning office, there must have been a reason or a substantiated objection.
If you are that "intrigued" either inform someone, (a neighbour for example), that it does involve.

cyclonebri1

advice_please wrote: »

Thanks
I've got nothing against it, but just intrigued

So you have viewed the plans and the revised plans?, you must have done.

And you have nothing against it?

I have a couple of comments;

If the 1st and now being built to plan was rejected by the planning office, there must have been a reason or a substantiated objection.
If you are that "intrigued" either inform someone, (a neighbour for example), that it does involve.

Secondly if it is seriously outside what was passed then you really do have a civic duty to action your concerns.

So, and this might offend, either keep your nose out and close the curtains, it doesn't concern you.
Or if you feel it is taking the Mickey out of the process then act