Can someone please tell me if this Annexe is legal

katy123

Hi All

I'm currently in the process of looking for a new house and wanted a house with an annexe. Most i've seen are attached the house but this one is in the garden. It looks like it was originally a garage. When you convert a garage into living accomodation, do you need planning permission?

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-52308767.html?premiumA=true

I guess I am also trying to see if we can buy a house with a garage in the garden ourselves and converting it. Many thanks.

mattyprice4004

I don't think it was a garage - this listing says the property already has a single garage, and besides, it doesn't look like there's any vehicular access to it.

maninthestreet

If it has a garage, it's not obvious where it is located based on the available pictures. Possibly it's in a separate block located some distance from the house.

PasturesNew

Described as a self-contained annexe, I'd expect it to be legal. But, I'd wonder what sort of construction it was and want to check any planning because to be self-contained might need planning permission, as opposed to a building that was ancillary to the main building.

It's also not obvious how it's accessed - through the house, or up a side path.

I'd expect it to need planning permission due to being self-contained, possibly size, possibly due to proximity to the boundary.

It looks more of a "summer house" style construction, sitting on a raft of concrete/similar in a shed-like way, rather than something that had full footings dug out.

Although it says "self contained" the description only mentions bedroom/storage/en-suite, not any kitchen area. So not entirely self-contained.

Do an online search of the local planning portal to see if it's on there.

tea-bag

SSTC However it could be built under permitted development however due to the height this would not be the case. it is abit iffy.

System

maninthestreet wrote: »

If it has a garage, it's not obvious where it is located based on the available pictures. Possibly it's in a separate block located some distance from the house.

From the street view, the garage appears to be at the side of the property, slightly recessed due to the curve of the road. So the annexe must be 'new' rather than converted....

DTDfanBoy

Assuming it's 9 Kershaw Close it look's like they wanted to convert the garage attached to the side of the property but were refused so they built down the back, you certainly want to make sure building regs were complied with.


Reference 05/01275/FUL
Alternative Reference 21020
Address 9 Kershaw Close Chafford Hundred Grays Essex RM16 6RN
Proposal Conversion of garage to habitable room.
Status Application Refused
Appeal Status Not Available
Appeal Decision Not Available


Reference 13/00596/HHA
Alternative Reference PP-02720847
Address 9 Kershaw Close Chafford Hundred Grays RM16 6RN
Proposal Outbuilding in rear garden to provide bedroom and en-suite
Status Application Permitted
Appeal Status Not Available
Appeal Decision Not Available

http://regs.thurrock.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?previousCaseUprn=200001540638&previousCaseType=Property&previousKeyVal=001N69QGLI000&activeTab=summary&previousCaseNumber=001EJ1QGBU000&keyVal=MOP5H8QGCY000

dannim12345

Looks like its sold anyway.

Davesnave

Always start here:

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/commonprojects/garageconversion/

Although garage conversions don't always need PP, they must meet building regs. Things like adequacy of foundations and roofs muddy the waters somewhat, as all garages are not created equal.

I have just converted my garage and it was no problem at all from a paperwork perspective, or in doing the work. Obviously, in this case the garage was deemed unsuitable in some way, but it seems we can't access documents giving clues as to why.

It's hard to know what you have exactly before you buy, which is tricky. I thought mine was worse than it was. You could get special attention paid to the garage in a survey, but the surveyor/engineer isn't going to uncover the foundations!

DTDfanBoy

Davesnave wrote: »

Although garage conversions don't need PP, they must meet building regs.

That's not the best advise as many properties do require planning permission for a garage conversion, it's clearly the case here, if planning permission wasn't needed the council wouldn't have refused the application

getmore4less

That "garage"(down the side) has patio doors and a chair in the window.