I Have Lived In My Workshop For Fifteen Years, So Can I Get Change Of Use Or Certificate Of Lawful Development?

[Leoat203]

I bought an empty space zoned light industrial i think ( nobody from the council confirmed it ) although i started paying commercial rates when i informed them that i was there.
I put a toilet and kitchen in imediately. Financially, at the time, i had no option but to move in because i couldn't afford rent on a flat as well. I built a small bedroom on the roof.
I had applied to planning early 2005)to convert the whole property into a dwelling with two added floors and that was denied. I applied to add another floor in 2009as an office, and have now finished this. I put a kitchen in the new office.
I have lived in the buiding since 2003 through all of this and didn't hide anything when the planners come around. I am a sole trader architectural designer and make my money with a computer and a printer so i have never needed that much space for work. Living there as well as working seemed the only sensible thing to do.

[Buenchico]

As I read the rules, you should be able to get a CLD as long as you can PROVE that you've lived there for long enough. So you need to consider what proof is available for you to bring into use.

https://ecab.planningportal.co.uk/uploads/1app/guidance/guidance_note-lawful_development_certificates.pdf