building regs for garage/workshop/kids playroom
Discussion
I'm looking to demolish my slightly too small detached single garage, and replace it at the back of the garden with a monster garage (well big enough for the race car on a trailer to fit) with adjoining room to expel the kids and toys too.
It would be 9m x 6m timber construction on a concrete base with a flat roof to fit within the 2.5m height limit. I think we're ok with Permitted Development rules, but as it will be around 1m from the boundary on 3 sides the building regs seem a little vague on whats required.
I would install some basic insulation and electrics, but am I likely to have to jump through hoops for building inspectors?
It would be 9m x 6m timber construction on a concrete base with a flat roof to fit within the 2.5m height limit. I think we're ok with Permitted Development rules, but as it will be around 1m from the boundary on 3 sides the building regs seem a little vague on whats required.
I would install some basic insulation and electrics, but am I likely to have to jump through hoops for building inspectors?
The position of the boundary has nothing to do with the Building Regs.
If you are constructing a garage and summer room then there are some parts of the regs you need to consider. At 54 sq m it's a large outbuilding. The most important point is not to create a 'habitable room' because then you'll need to comply with a lot more of the Building Regs. When you have your plans then speak to the Building Control Dept. They'll let you know what parts you'll need to satisfy.
I'd double check that you are within your Class E PD rights with the local Planning Dept. Height of the building is not the only criteria you need to satisfy. Another, for example, is that the total area of out buildings can't exceed 50% of the area of land around the original building.
ETA: You may not have any PD rights so check with the Planners too.
If you are constructing a garage and summer room then there are some parts of the regs you need to consider. At 54 sq m it's a large outbuilding. The most important point is not to create a 'habitable room' because then you'll need to comply with a lot more of the Building Regs. When you have your plans then speak to the Building Control Dept. They'll let you know what parts you'll need to satisfy.
I'd double check that you are within your Class E PD rights with the local Planning Dept. Height of the building is not the only criteria you need to satisfy. Another, for example, is that the total area of out buildings can't exceed 50% of the area of land around the original building.
ETA: You may not have any PD rights so check with the Planners too.
Edited by mk1fan on Tuesday 10th August 19:00
When speaking to the building regs people make sure to describe it as a workshop, not as a playroom as the latter will require modern levels of insulation, you might get away with not having to do that if it is classed as a workshop. Some of it will come down to how you plan on heating the room, fixed heating and you will be much more likely to be required to sort the insulation out.
Technically you could get away with not speaking to the building regs people, however if a neighbour dobs you in or you ever try and sell the house you'll end up right in it as they will be far more severe and retro fitting everything will be painful. I would suggest getting a good surveyour involved, they'll know the regs back to front and more importantly have the right contacts at the council to get everything approved quickly.
Technically you could get away with not speaking to the building regs people, however if a neighbour dobs you in or you ever try and sell the house you'll end up right in it as they will be far more severe and retro fitting everything will be painful. I would suggest getting a good surveyour involved, they'll know the regs back to front and more importantly have the right contacts at the council to get everything approved quickly.
Thanks for the comments. It's 'only' taking up about 25% of the rear garden, but other than that I can't see any other PD reg limiting the area used. I'm in a urban area and not listed building too.
I can keep the building 1m away from the boundary to avoid the combustable materials building reg, but would want to put some insulation in walls and ceiling with some plasterboard to keep it pleasantish in winter. There would however be no fixed heating or plumbing so still not 'habitable'?
I was hoping to avoid involving the council and keep the build costs down, but thats looking increasingly unlikely!
I can keep the building 1m away from the boundary to avoid the combustable materials building reg, but would want to put some insulation in walls and ceiling with some plasterboard to keep it pleasantish in winter. There would however be no fixed heating or plumbing so still not 'habitable'?
I was hoping to avoid involving the council and keep the build costs down, but thats looking increasingly unlikely!
We took down a tin triple garage and replaced this with a wooden one with a concrete base. It was from one of those companies that make them and stables. We needed PP and Buildings regs approval - well we may have got away without PP but we redoing the house at the same time. The back of the garage sits on our boundry with the field. We just had to insulate the back metre of garage with fire proof stuff which we did.
I have to say the Buildins regs people were very relaxed - they saw the plans supplied by garage provider, told us to insulate and came back to check it once done.
I have to say the Buildins regs people were very relaxed - they saw the plans supplied by garage provider, told us to insulate and came back to check it once done.
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