Planning?

[2sp_]

We live in a semi-detached cottage. There's only the two cottages, and in the old days there were actually three, but the middle one was split and the trio became a pair. The other cottage gets rented out.

The cottages are on a farm owned by my FIL. Anyway, Mr P and I would like to "pinch" a room from the cottage next door and turn it into a bedroom.

So....

Do we need planning permission?

If we get that, and the work is done, do we then have to get both houses reassessed for Council Tax banding?

Can anyone think of any potential problems we may have? We've already considered that we will have to shift the radiator to our system, and rewire the room.

(Off to have my tea, but I'll be back later - thanks in advance!)

[The Builder]

An interesting question 2SP.

The proposed "change of use" would be from Residential to Residential, so even if this is classed as a change of use, it's within the same classification. There should be no need for Planning Consent there.

Council Tax re-assessment... I would say yes, that would be needed.

Building Regulations might apply though. Not so much for the building work, unless some structural work is needed, but for the "separation between dwellings" aspect.
Electrical work could be carried out by a Part P certified electrician (no Building Regs there.)
It will depend on how insistent the Inspector is over the latest regs. (Soundproofing. Fire etc.)
I'm 99% sure that Building Regs would have to come into it.

Perhaps Buildersmate might pick this up. He may well know more on the Planning aspect.

If not, then in this case, I think you might have to ring your local Planning Dept. for their opinion. I wouldn't like to stick my neck out on the Planning issue.

[2sp_]

Thanks for your answer Builder.

I'm hoping that the fact that what will now become the dividing wall between the cottages is about 3 foot thick will help with the sound and fire issues!

It should just be a case of knocking through the plaster and single brick wall that currently separates the houses and putting in a new door. Obviously we will have to brick up the old door that is currently used for accessing the room from the "other side".

[boxtops]

My sister lives in a semi which was an old bakery and is now made into 3 houses. The dwellings overlap each other (next door's bedroom is over her bathroom, and her loo overlooks next door's garden) which sounds like what you are describing. Because the borders of the premises are not regular - it's a Flying Freehold - which can apparently be complicated when it comes to maintenance and so on. Best check it out, in case this is relevant if you pinch the room.

[2sp_]

I'll investigate that Boxy, hopefully it should be OK as my FIL owns both properties...

I'm just desperate for another bedroom so the kids don't have to share! Such an indulgence, I know. Lots of people cope with their children sharing a room. I sound like a spoilt brat.

[society]

2sp, nothing is wrong in striving for betterment and comfort.

[2sp_]

Thank you for that Society.

Life would be so much easier for the whole family if the girls had separate rooms. Naptime and bedtime would be less stressful if they weren't keeping each other awake!

[bushbaby_de]

Hi 2sp, I'm a planning officer and assuming you are in England I don't believe you would require planning permission as no material change of use would occur and the number of dwellinghouses would remain the same. You will however require Building Regulations approval and, if either property is mortgaged, you may need the consent of the mortgage company. I am assuming there are no title issues if your FIL owns both properties on the same title but if they are on separate titles you may need to also speak with the Land Registry.

[2sp_]

Hi Bushbaby, I'm actually in Scotland. There is no mortgage on the property so that shouldn't be a problem, and both properties are on the one title.

Thank you for your answer!

[bushbaby_de]

Ah I think the rules are a bit different in Scotland!