Do we need to tell the council about our outhouse to utility

[B19GRR]

Hi all,

We're currently converting the outhouse/workshop that's attached to the back of our house in to a utility/cloakroom/workshop. Space is about 2.8m width by 4.3m long. It's being partitioned in to a roughly 2.8x2.8 utility with a sub-partioned loo. The remaining space will be my greatly reduced workshop

So work is involved in adding plumbing, rewiring (house is having a new fuse board with RCD fitted as part of that), replacement window fitted and repair work to bricks and roof line.

So, question is do we need to get a building regs type bloke in from the council or is it nice and simple as it's just converting an existing space?

All electrical work is being done by Part-P registered sparks so will be certified.

Plumbing is pretty basic, just adding hot and cold feeds and waste out in to a new drain which connects to the existing drainage.

Does the window need to be fitted by a FENSA bloke?

Our main worries is that the house is actually on the market and there's the risk that some future conveyancing solicitor could be a pita about various certificates. The house was built in 1903 so nothing in it meets current building regs anyway.

Thanks for any thoughts.

Cheers,
Rob

[B17NNS]

Is the outhouse accessible from the main house?

ie, will you be able to get into it via an internal door from the existing property?

[Coco H]

Presumbaly you didn't need PP so they have not been notified that way

[B19GRR]

Hi,

Yes it's internally accessible.

We didn't apply for planning permission as we figured it's just repurposing an existing space. The only ground work was to add the drainage.

Cheers,
Rob

[Steve_W]

How long have you lived there?

If it's some years then surely it was always a utility/it was like that when we bought it guv?

[eps]

Ideally BC are interested in all building works. It's for them to decide if you need to submit a BC Submission... Not the other way round. It can be done on a Building Notice.

Ideally windows need to be fitted by a FENSA registered fitter, so that you don't need a BC Submission to cover that part of the work.

Planning should be fine, so long as you haven't changed that part of the property externally.

If you are concerned about it, call up your local BC dept. and talk them through the changes you are making without necessarily mentioning the property address. See what their take is on it.

Anything new should ideally meet or exceed current regulations. Of course there are exceptions to this, such as List Buildings or other covenants.

[Busamav]

B19GRR said:

Hi,


The only ground work was to add the drainage.

Cheers,
Rob

for that alone you would ideally need to submit a BR aplication

[B19GRR]

Thanks all,

I'll go for the subtle enquiry to BC first I think. Had a look on their website, charges are a bit pricey for new stuff, couldn't see anything specific for retrofit type work though.

Cheers,
Rob

[Si 330]

Where is the window regarding adjacent properties? Do you live in a conservation area?
Building regs will be required, planning will be subject to the above.

[Si 330]

Not sure if fee's vary by authority but something like this in my area is £137 fee for works under £2000.

[B19GRR]

Si 330 said:

Where is the window regarding adjacent properties? Do you live in a conservation area?
Building regs will be required, planning will be subject to the above.

The window is probably about 20' from the neighbour, we're just replacing an existing knackered single-glazed unit with good old upvc, most likely with obscured glass. It's not going to have any openings as it's positioned above the boiler vent.

Cheers,
Rob

[Si 330]

Just replacing a window will be fine then planning probably not required.

[Venom]

Straight window replacement wouldn't require planning permission outside of a Conservation Area and can be argued not to need it in one either if it materially looks the same as the unit that you're replacing.

[DrDeAtH]

you should have applied for a building notice, as you have made alterations to the underground drainage. Also it would cover the replacement of the window and various other aspects of the works.