Building Regs/Planning - What do I need?

icebergx

Hi all,
I've just bough this flat and, although it needs a lot of work, I got it at a good price, so it makes sense financially.
What I'm not so confident about is the building regs/planning that may be required to do the work necessary, so that I can move in.

The main elements of the build will be:
1) opening up the kitchen diner, by removing the current bathroom and installing French Doors out to the garden
2) Partitioning one of the bedrooms to create a new bathroom and maintain a second bedroom
3) Fix the leaky pipework causing damage to the exterior of the property, re-render part of the exterior and paint the whole exterior of the property
4) Alter position of Kitchen and associated pipework/plumbing
5) Remove a concrete fence separating the garden from the street, and replacing it with a brick wall of equal height

Current floorpan: https://flic.kr/p/JGGk9q
Projected floorpan: https://flic.kr/p/JGDpEA
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PEv0to1LUo

As you can see, it's not in great condition, with a bit of work, I think it could be made into a nice little flat.

Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
I

G_M

I'm no expert but (assuming not a Listed Building, or located in a Conservation Area) would imagine:

icebergx wrote: »

The main elements of the build will be:
1) opening up the kitchen diner, by removing the current bathroom and installing French Doors out to the garden
Building Regs
2) Partitioning one of the bedrooms to create a new bathroom and maintain a second bedroom
Building Regs
3) Fix the leaky pipework causing damage to the exterior of the property, re-render part of the exterior and paint the whole exterior of the property
Neither. This is maintenance.
4) Alter position of Kitchen and associated pipework/plumbing
Building Regs
5) Remove a concrete fence separating the garden from the street, and replacing it with a brick wall of equal height
Probobly neither but check your Deeds for Restrictive Covenants

Current floorpan: https://flic.kr/p/JGGk9q
Projected floorpan: https://flic.kr/p/JGDpEA
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PEv0to1LUo

As you can see, it's not in great condition, with a bit of work, I think it could be made into a nice little flat.

Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
I

check the council website, and

https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200125/do_you_need_permission

https://www.gov.uk/building-regulations-approval

icebergx

Interesting... From what I can tell, the only thing that would need Building Regs is the installation of the french doors, as that wall is currently load bearing.
A qualified plumber would take care of all the boiler/gas works and a qualified electrician should be able to sort out adding plugs, spotlights, etc
The brick wall would replace and improve the current concrete fence, and will remain the same height.
Erecting a simple partition wall shouldn't require building regs approval as far as I can tell.

divadee

You will also need permission from the freeholder for any structural work you want to do.

eddddy

You say it's a flat, so I guess it's leasehold.

So you need to read the lease to see what it says about structural and non-structural alterations.

Usually, you'll need consent from the freeholder - but it's possible that the lease says no alterations are allowed.

The external pipework, external render and external paintwork are usually owned by the freeholder. Most freeholders wouldn't allow you to touch their property...

...but it looks like your freeholder isn't keen on maintenance, so maybe they'll agree to let you repair them.

Also you may have to budget for a lease variation, as the lease floor plan will probably need updating.

lincroft1710

Tend to agree with GM, but you would need pp for new wall if its in a conservation area or over 1 metre in height.

G_M

Gas/electrical work will need Building Regs, though as you say, some contractors may be able to self-certify.

Freeholder consent is of course almost certainly required.

Freecall

Remember, if it's a flat you will have no PD rights so you will need planning permission for the new french doors unless your LPA has specific policies which allow for this to be done without.

In my experience very few do but you can always ask.

https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200130/common_projects/21/flats_and_maisonettes/5