no building regs garage conversion

[ahmed9500]

Hi,

I have recently converted my detached garage into a room. It is 42 squared metres. Had new walls, windows, insulation plumbing gas electrics into the building, also tiled and decorated. Spent 20k on the project, i didnt realise it needed building regs as nobody is going to live in there, i have fitted a shower and washroom so the children can go straight in there after their football matches! Today the building inspector arrived, he says we need retrospective application! HELP please!! what will happen to my room?? what can i do?

Thanks

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Fill in the application as requested and prepare yourself for a bumpy ride.
Did you get any certifciates/documents off the gas engineers and electricians?
Was any structural work done, if so you do have a record of this, any calculation made and if RCJs where installed even a receipt for RCJs?

 

[Richard C]

Last time I was in the British Virgin Islands, they would have looked at me very strangely & offered me something to calm me down if I’d mentioned complying with Building Regs

 

[DevilDamo]

Just out of interest, did you also require planning permission?

 

[mointainwalker]

Last time I was in the British Virgin Islands, they would have looked at me very strangely & offered me something to calm me down if I’d mentioned complying with Building Regs

But Richard, that is because you would have beeen talking ( with relevant reg nos ) about how to correctly fit a wood-burning stove

 

[RedHerring2]

Last time I was in the British Virgin Islands, they would have looked at me very strangely & offered me something to calm me down if I’d mentioned complying with Building Regs

But Richard, that is because you would have beeen talking ( with relevant reg nos ) about how to correctly fit a wood-burning stove

"Olé"

 

[jeds]

Are you sure it was a building inspector. Could it have been the planning department? (which is different)

And I assume this garage is in the UK and not Turtle Bay or some such...

 

[Richard C]

Last time I was in the British Virgin Islands, they would have looked at me very strangely & offered me something to calm me down if I’d mentioned complying with Building Regs

But Richard, that is because you would have beeen talking ( with relevant reg nos ) about how to correctly fit a wood-burning stove

Na, my visit there was in connection with my previous life much more interesting than wood burning stoves

 

[RedHerring2]

Last time I was in the British Virgin Islands, they would have looked at me very strangely & offered me something to calm me down if I’d mentioned complying with Building Regs

But Richard, that is because you would have beeen talking ( with relevant reg nos ) about how to correctly fit a wood-burning stove

Na, my visit there was in connection with my previous life much more interesting than wood burning stoves

You have experience of reincarnation as well. Wow!

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

You have experience of reincarnation as well. Wow!

 

[ahmed9500]

thanks for replies, yes it was inspector and not planing dp. he has asked for certificates which i have got and wants to check floor for dpc which i have put in! it doesnt require pp as the building is exsisting jus br. for a change of use, turns out inspector is very nice person.. once i have given him certificates and he has checked floor how long till he signs off and issues certificate? thanks

 

[DevilDamo]

it doesnt require pp as the building is exsisting jus br

That doesn't matter. It could still require PP.

 

[ahmed9500]

so du i inform planing dep.? and just put in retrospective application?

 

[googley]

so du i inform planing dep.? and just put in retrospective application?

Your local council will have a planning dept internet site where you should be able to download the relevant planning application form. You fill it in and mark it as RETROSPECTIVE planning application and send it off with the relevant fee to them. They will probably pass it and it should not be a problem so long as the building work has been done correctly and legally and any certificates you have I would send a photocopy with the planning application to make it a smoother application. Each local council will have different rules on what can and cant be done - its not a UK wide system that is the same everywhere. Being polite, friendly and helpful with the Council will hopefully make your path a smooth one. If neighbours have done the same check out their planning permission as well as you can get help from that (will be on planning dept site). The Council will answer any queries over the telephone on any questions you have.

It is a residential accommodation extension / change of use which they will help you clarify what rules etc are affected. If they say no to it you can appeal. Neighbours on left and right have to be given notification by the Council and normally if they dont complain you will be ok.

 

[streetmason]

I recently converted my garage into habitable accomodation. Only because i increased the size of my existing garage did i need planning permission. However, all conversions to habitable rooms do require building regs. such as loft conversions. The building inspector who works for the same people as the planning dept (local authority) will need to see certificates for any electrical work, bot not plumbing work.
Retrospective planning permission should not be a problem provided you have not altered the external appearance to the extent that it is detremental (not in-keeping) to the surrounding area. If any neighbours have done similar work with planning permission then a precident has been set and the planners would be hard pressed to refuse you.
PS: wonder which good neighbour dobbed you in??