Do I need permission to change an internal arch to french doors

Homershairdo

Howdy again,

Part of the homerbuyer report on our property, it queries whether we had permission to change an arch way (which was already in when we moved in) to a set of french doors. Did we need permission for this? If I did, what do I need to do now?

Thanks!!

ukwoody

I've never heard of this except on listed buildings. Done loads of convertions over the years. I take it it is not into an extention or former room that wasn't used as dwelling was it?

woody

Homershairdo

Thanks for replying Woody,

Nope, the change was purely cosmetic - it was an archway to the stairs, which we changed to doors!

lotto-dreamer

Homershairdo wrote: »

Howdy again,

Part of the homerbuyer report on our property, it queries whether we had permission to change an arch way (which was already in when we moved in) to a set of french doors. Did we need permission for this? If I did, what do I need to do now?

Thanks!!

I assume you are selling.

You can always get the Council to come out and give retrospective planning consent if need be. It will cost you though but if it was done correctly then they should give you the necessary certificate.

Alternatively, if it was done a long time ago and you don't live in a Listed Building perhaps you could look at getting indemnity insurance to provide to your buyer. BUT be aware that if you alert the Council you will not be allowed to then subsequently get indemnity insurance. The whole point of indemnity insurance is it becomes invalid if anyone (ie the Council) is notified of a POTENTIAL problem.

Possibly a good way to determine whether planning permission was needed or not is to phone the Council (anonymously) and ask as a general question. You should then get an idea if it is/was needed. The date it was done could mean that the regulations have changed and at the time it was done permission would not have been needed.

lotto-dreamer

Homershairdo wrote: »

Thanks for replying Woody,

Nope, the change was purely cosmetic - it was an archway to the stairs, which we changed to doors!

Doesn't sound too onerous then! It's when it could affect structure (i.e. lintels replaced or supporting wall involved that it usually becomes an issue)

designermatt_2

Not enough info here to give an accurate answer, but if the doors do not affect the means of escape and no new structure was put in or needed (ie the opening is the same width and you didnt have an arched lintle but a normal lintel with some plaster quadrants) then you have no need of Building Regs approval or Planning.

Homershairdo

Hi Matt,

It was a normal lintel - the actual arch was only plaster round a wire template (type of thing!)

Thanks for the help!

Doozergirl

...In which case you can tell them that no planning permissions or building regulations approvals were required as no structural work was carried out.

End of.

Canucklehead

Homershairdo wrote: »

Howdy again,

Part of the homerbuyer report on our property, it queries whether we had permission to change an arch way (which was already in when we moved in) to a set of french doors. Did we need permission for this? If I did, what do I need to do now?

Thanks!!

Good morning: I've been following your thread (but not for the purpose for which your query was originally intended...hope you have not been put off;)) Just wanted to wish you luck with your house sale...it is dire out there at the moment:eek:

Canucklehead