Annexe conversion, where to start?

[SCS]

I hope everyone is keeping safe and well. We are at the very start of our project and I'd love some advice on how/where to start if anyone could point me in the right direction.

My parents have a farm with an annexe that was converted from a stable block and garaging to ancillary accommodation approximately 15 years ago. The main house is Grade II listed and the annexe is on the driveway, a few meters from the house. When planning was granted for the annexe the council didn't want the building to be a standalone building that could later be sold off, so there was no kitchen for example. My father fell ill and we moved into the annexe to help care for him/my mum. His is a rare degenerative neurological condition, so we don't have a timescale for how long he will be around. We have been here about 6 months, and the whole family would like to make the move permanent. To do this we would need to make some changes, but none would change the footprint of the building. It would be things like changing one of the rooms into a kitchen and converting the garage to accommodation.

In terms of planning I'm not sure what we need to ask for, so I'm finding it hard to research. Is it change of use from an annexe to separate dwelling? Or can it remain as an annexe even with family living in in permanently? Splitting the title isn't necessary if that makes any difference. We don't want to add another entrance to the property or change the parking. Any advice on where to start would be gratefully received!

 

[DevilDamo]

An annexe can have a kitchen that is separate from the house as well as being ancillary to the main dwelling and not let or sold as a separate self-contained unit. Some LPA’s have different views on this so you’d need to ascertain the reasons as to why the LPA would not accept the installation of a kitchen. If they’re adamant that it will not be accepted, just call it a Utility/Boot room. In another one of my jobs, the LPA have requested the applicant enter into and agree to a Section 106 agreement that prevents the let or sale of the unit.

 

[^woody^]

Get the original planning permission and check the conditions.

If it says "no kitchen allowed" and gives a reason, then apply for a variance of the condition and describe how you will meet any concerns that caused the condition to be applied in the first place.

But how planners would ever know that a kitchen wad in there is beyond me.

 

[garyo]

But how planners would ever know that a kitchen wad in there is beyond me.

That would be my approach. Are there any neighbours, are they friendly? I think Cummins just demonstrated that sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.

 

[IT Minion]

The previous owners of our property built an entirely self contained bungalow in the garden for a similar reason. Without planning permission.

From what I can see the neighbors informed the council after it was most of the way (or all the way) up and the council allowed it, and granted retrospective planning permission, with some restrictions about it not being allowed to be sold separately. It's classed as an Annex and has kitchen, bathroom and laundry facilities.

 

[SCS]

Many thanks for the replies. I have now found the planning application on the council website and there is no mention of anything to do with kitchens! At the time we had a friendly planner who agreed to do a site visit before the plans went in and advised us on things like colours and materials to give a better chance of the plans being approved. I'm wondering if the kitchen issue was perhaps part of that advice from him.

So a couple more questions if I may. Are there any rules that would prevent us living in an annexe permanently, or does that need some form of permission? With regards to changes to the building, from reading the planning documents on our council's website it would seem that although we are not enlarging the building, changes would not come under permitted development as it is a converted stables/annexe and not the main house. Is that correct? The three main changes we would like to make are to convert the garage to living accommodation, enclose the large porch and add a back door.

 

[DevilDamo]

An annexe is normally approved and conditioned as such that it remains ancillary to the main dwelling and is not let/sold independently. You’d therefore need to check the wording on the approval and assuming it is similar to what I have mentioned, then there will not be any issue for anybody to live in it, temporarily or permanently.

The changes you mention may well require Planning approval and again, is dependent on the wording of the original approval/conditions. There can also be additional restrictions and requirements for works within the curtilage of a listed building.