What does this communication suggest?

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I have posted regarding an old wooden building on the forum before. I am inexperienced in all of the ins and outs of planning. Wise words have been given and I proceeded to contact the planning department with my plan. They came back with this. Could you it for me?

"Having reviewed this information, you will need to submit a full planning application for- Alterations to an existing building for the conversion into a residential annexe. This application will be assessed on design and amenity and a condition will more than likely be added to the application to mitigate against it being used as a separate unit of accommodation"

Thoughts?
 
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Thanks Woody. Can I ask why you arrived at this thought? I had been honest on my e mail to the department and stated that I'd like to holiday let it and it is to have a kitchenette, bathroom, sleeping etc.

Perhaps there replying saying that it shouldn't be a "permanent" seperate unit, as in all year round??
 
"Having reviewed this information, you will need to submit a full planning application for- Alterations to an existing building for the conversion into a residential annexe. This application will be assessed on design and amenity and a condition will more than likely be added to the application to mitigate against it being used as a separate unit of accommodation"
This means that even if permission is granted for the conversion you won't be able to rent it out, your mother in law or child could live there but not strangers so no holiday let. Not separate effectively means connected to the main dwelling.
 
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Thanks Mercurys twin. So effectively it could only be used by friends and family, but NO ONE else??


Also, when they say that it will be assessed upon design and amenity, what does that mean??
 
Thanks Woody. Can I ask why you arrived at this thought?

Because that's what it says.

They will mitigate against it being used as a separate unit of accommodation.

Your application will be assessed under the normal planning criteria of what it looks like and how it impacts on others (design and amenity), but it's use will be confined to that of being ancillary (related or necessary) to the use of the main house, and not as a separate planning unit (eg a business).
 
What reasons would there be for refusal of planning on design and amenity?

This is a one off, and as stated, has been there ages and used as a house before, so why not again?
 
What reasons would there be for refusal of planning on design and amenity?

This is a one off, and as stated, has been there ages and used as a house before, so why not again?

Because you might submit an application for something that would look OK in the Tate Modern, but not OK in a back garden in the countryside.
 
Your options are:

(a) If you want to use the building as ancillary accomodation, i.e. accomodation where those residing would have a clear and demonstrable dependency on the main dwelling, and would not be able to live indepently as a single household, this would not in general require planning permission in its own right, it would form an ancillary part of the existing dwelling house use. Any physical works required which are not PD should be applied for under a Householder application, not full planning.

(b) If you wish the building to be occupied independently from the main house (by tenants, relatives, friends or anyone else), in planning terms this consitutues a seperate unit of accomodation and requires permission in its own right. If you apply for this and it is granted the council could apply a condition restricting the occupation of the unit in some way if this restriction meets the legal tests for planning conditions.

The term ennexe confuses matters. It is either clearly ancillary and dependent on the main house, or it requires plannig permission as a seperate unit of accomodation. The 'annexe' as a compromise option does not exist but as per option (b) the LPA could grant a seperate unit of accomodation and restrict its occupation by condition. This may be the option they are suggesting.

An annexe as is understood in laymens terms, i.e. accomodation associated with the main dwelling with a clear degree of dependency (e.g. occupants use the kicthen facilities and living rooms of the main house rather than having their own self-contained unit of accomodation) does not, as a use, require permission in their own right as their is no change of use.
 
Your options are:

(a) If you want to use the building as ancillary accomodation, i.e. accomodation where those residing would have a clear and demonstrable dependency on the main dwelling, and would not be able to live indepently as a single household, this would not in general require planning permission in its own right, it would form an ancillary part of the existing dwelling house use. Any physical works required which are not PD should be applied for under a Householder application, not full planning.

(b) If you wish the building to be occupied independently from the main house (by tenants, relatives, friends or anyone else), in planning terms this consitutues a seperate unit of accomodation and requires permission in its own right. If you apply for this and it is granted the council could apply a condition restricting the occupation of the unit in some way if this restriction meets the legal tests for planning conditions.

The term ennexe confuses matters. It is either clearly ancillary and dependent on the main house, or it requires plannig permission as a seperate unit of accomodation. The 'annexe' as a compromise option does not exist but as per option (b) the LPA could grant a seperate unit of accomodation and restrict its occupation by condition. This may be the option they are suggesting.

An annexe as is understood in laymens terms, i.e. accomodation associated with the main dwelling with a clear degree of dependency (e.g. occupants use the kicthen facilities and living rooms of the main house rather than having their own self-contained unit of accomodation) does not, as a use, require permission in their own right as their is no change of use.
He knows all that. It's been explained several times.
 

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