Converting a barn or other outbuilding?

Another interesting from the planning portal, an article for those wishing to convert a barn, mill or other farm outbuilding:

Planning Minister Nick Boles has reassured MPs that the Government is well aware of the arguments being put forward to exempt National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty from proposals to introduce permitted development rights for redundant agricultural buildings.
Campaigners fear that change in permitted development could lead to large numbers of isolated new homes in unsustainable or inappropriate locations.
The minister told the Commons “the intention behind the proposed permitted developed right is to bring forward more housing on land that is already developed, and to make maximum use of the buildings that our ancestors saw fit to build, so that we do not have to put up any more buildings on green fields than is necessary to meet our housing and other needs”.
He added: “I recognise, however, and the Government recognise, that national parks and AONBs are so called for a reason and have a special status. It is a status we must respect, and it is important that we think hard and listen to the arguments put to us about the appropriateness of this measure in those areas.
“Although I cannot anticipate the Government’s final position, I reassure Parliament that the Government have heard the arguments loud and clear.”
Earlier he had agreed with fellow Conservative MPs who queued up to voice concern during an adjournment debate that “it might well be appropriate for national parks to retain the ability to decide on a case-by-case basis whether such development is possible”.

Roger Milne

www.gbs-designs.co.uk

New BBC series - Permission Impossible: Britain’s Planners

See below from the Planning Portal:

Planning back on prime-time TV

The ground-breaking television programme Planners is back next week for a second series with a new title and a new slot on BBC Two.

Permission Impossible: Britain’s Planners will return on Tuesday 25 February 2014 at 7pm on BBC Two. The eight-part series will transmit daily from Tuesdays to Fridays, over two weeks.

The programme makers have promised to carry on lifting the lid on the decisions behind planning approvals and refusals.

“We’ll reveal the secrets of the planners; the misconceptions of homeowners and we’ll expose those with a blatant disregard for planning regulations. We’ll show the lengths homeowners will go to protect their properties from disputes with developers intent on building large-scale housing developments to clashes even closer to home - neighbour against neighbour fighting it out over extensions, conversions, and garden erections.

“Every planning battle creates fierce argument on both sides. But there can only be one winner,” say the production team.

Over the first three nights the series will focus on Redrow’s plans for 1,500 homes at Ellesmere Port, a builders’ yard extension, the fight to save a Grade ll listed building and a race against time to extend a Turkish restaurant.

Other highlights will include a tussle between a newly located mansion house and a tree house and a pair of naturists who hope their outdoor pursuits will see off plans for a big house next door.

Roger Milne

GOVERNMENT ACTS OVER BIDS TO THWART OFFICE-TO-HOMES CONVERSIONS

GOVERNMENT ACTS OVER BIDS TO THWART OFFICE-TO-HOMES CONVERSIONS

This could be interesting.

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/general/news/stories/2014/february14/130214/130214_1

The simple fact is that we need more homes and due to business and commercial shifts we have offices and retail outlets that are vacant.

Review of National Park policy mooted

This could be interesting for those people living in the South Downs National Park.

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/general/news/stories/2013/september13/190913/19092013_2

Let's see what happens.

GBS Designs - Architectural Services

Annexes are not just for the elderly

When you say annexe, you immediately think of a small and often single storey dwelling that is like a small flat in which a parent or grand-parent lives. It gives the occupant some private space whilst also being looked after by their children and grand children. This is often still the case and is a good thing as it means families look after each other and we all know that much can be learned from our parents and grand-parents as they have a wealth of experience to pass on.

However, properties that have a ready built annexe are few and far between, and those houses that do have annexes sell for a premium. So, what's the answer?

Well, if you are wondering or have thought about looking after an elderly relative the answer could be to simply convert a garage, stables or barn in to an annexe. Or alternatively, build an extension to be used an annexe.

But that is not the whole story and an annexe does not have to be for an elderly relative; it could be for your children.

With house prices far outstripping earnings, it has become very difficult for younger adults to get a foot on the property ladder and the answer could be to build an annexe for them. We have recently been involved in designing annexes for client's children. For example; converting a large detached double garage in living space below and sleeping accommodation above, or converting other outbuildings such as stables/a barn into modern and stylish living space for a young adult or couple.

Whatever the reason for building an annexe, it may just make your house that extra bit appealing to buyers and increase the value by far more than a conventional extension

GBS Designs - Architectural Services

Cowboy Builders

Yes, they're back! Did they ever go away? Is a question some ask.

A recent client of mine in Bedhampton has been ripped off to the tune of more than £24,000 by a couple of what can only be described as cowboy builders.

The extension was a very simple annexe to the main dwelling. However, the errors made were numerous and flew in the face of the planning permission granted by Havant Borough Council. The errors included:

• Digging the footings and pouring the foundations out of place - 600mm (2 ft) in one direction and 1500mm (5 ft) in the other direction. This clearly and plainly contravened the planning permission given by Havant Borough Council.
• The above lead to fouling a window in the main property which will now have to be bricked up - causing a loss of light into the kitchen of the main dwelling. This also contravened the planning permission given. 
• Furthermore, as a result of the foundations being in the wrong place the cowboy builders started the build in the wrong place - further contravening the planning approval. 
• Built the annexe extension to the wrong dimensions (9.4 metres in length rather than the approved 11 metres and also narrower than original. Yes, this one again broke the planning permission - albeit less so.
• Attempted to build the annexe extension higher than approved by the planning permission. Finally and once again breaking the permission given.

How did this happen? I you ask. Well, the simple answer is a total lack of understanding of the importance of planning laws, a disregard for what the designer has worked with the client to achieve the needs and wants from the scheme, and a lack of understanding of current building regulations. These cowboys even thought the minimum ceiling height in domestic dwellings was still in place - it was removed in 2008, that is how out of date they were (as virtually everyone in the construction industry knows).

And, what was the cowboy's answer to the above? Well, their answer was to apply for a variation in the planning permission given by using some of my original drawings, my original design and access statement (with a very poorly written D&A statement of their own), and to adapt some of my original drawings to their ends. This was despite the drawings clearly stating they were copyrighted. Plus, there is no guarantee that the new application would be approved, and yet despite this wanted to carry on with the project!

Furthermore and in addition to the above, the cowboy builders also damaged the client's front garden (including knock down a wall), his driveway and damaged the public highway (the latter being criminal damage).

Sadly, the client did not contact me with regard to the above until it was too late to correct most of the above. However, fortunately the client did see the light and sacked the cowboy builders before the project was completed and signed off.

Suffice to say that I am now working with a new and thoroughly professional builder to complete the project (who has said he will complete the project for less than the inflated price quoted by the cowboys). And, so as to ease matters further for the client; I am working for FREE - this is how strongly I feel about these utter cowboys who:

• Ripped off a pensioner who is also a Royal Navy veteran.
• Deviated from a planning approved scheme.
• Broke copyright law.
• Damaged the public highway (criminal damage).

So, to summarize; be warned - the cowboys builders are out there.

GBS Designs - Architectural Services

Passing on the Baton

Like most people in the country, I thoroughly enjoyed the Olympics; not least because I was involved in them - in a very small way. Watching "the youth of the world" compete for the medals and for the glory and honour of their countries got me thinking about our apprentice and how we are handing over the baton of knowledge to her and those of the next generation.

Apprenticeships have always been and continues to be an essential part of the construction industry. It sounds simple, mainly because it is, but passing on skills and knowledge in a work environment backed up by part-time academic learning is, by far, the best way of teaching and learning in our industry.

GBS Designs - Architectural Services