Converting garage on concrete raft

[oshea1412]

Hi, I have a double garage which I have been looking at knocking down and replacing with 2 dwellings (flats). It has been rejected so we have now resubmitted a smaller design. I am thinking now to reduce costs that maybe it would be better to just convert what we already have. The garage is built on a concrete raft and has been situated for the last 20 years. How would I stand on converting this for using as a habital property?
Thanks

 

[LondonLad21]

Well, for you to sell this, make it someones home, then it will need BCO sign off on the regs (among other approvals)

The biggest two issues will be:

- Structual stability of the existing slab, how deep, strength, DPM etc
- Thermal performance, likely to be next to none if a garage

Essentially without digging test holes, you don't know if it is fit for purpose.

It is just a double garage, then for ease of sale/letting/BCO sign off/time/sanity, I would be tempted to get it jack hammered up and start again.

 

[oshea1412]

I would be doing it for rental purposes. We have already submitted plans to knock down and rebuild as 2 dwellings but due to comments from neighbours it has been rejected. Plans now resubmitted and amended to address arguments against and tried to keep the size roughly to what’s already there.

 

[Tigercubrider]

Could be wrong but new is vat free and conversion you pay vat on everything? So it. Would be 20% cheaper to demolish?