Garden room height came out at 2540mm!! 40mm over the what it should be :(

[Sitries1]

I’ve just built a garden room at home which is 20m2 within 1m of the boundary line. The plan was to keep the building at a maximum height of 2.5m in line with what I had read online as the ‘max permitted height without needing planning permission’ but I failed to factor in part of the roof build up and the overall size has ended up being 2540mm!

Now my problem is that I’ve had a letter from the council to say they’ve had reports that I am building an outbuilding at my address and they want to come and inspect it! So, am I likely screwed or will they overlook the 40mm??? None of my immediate neighbours have an issue with it but there is a lady who lives on the road behind mine who literally complains about everything so I’m assuming it’s her who has told the council.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Even if the officer is a dick about it the powers that be will probably take a view on it that it's not in the interests of the public purse to pursue such a minor discrepancy. Are you measuring from the highest adjacent ground level?

 

[Sitries1]

Yeah I’m measuring from the highest adjacent ground level. Fingers crossed they are either not that handy with a measuring tape or they aren’t concerned with such a small discrepancy.

 

[JohnD]

Put some paving round it.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Put some paving round it.

If the officer has half a brain they will soon see through that old chestnut.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Of course the planners, nice people that they are sometimes may invite you to apply for planning permssion and get ****ty about things before they finally relent. Please keep us informed as to what pans out ....

 

[conny]

.

 

[stuart45]

Invest in an XL Bully.

 

[Sitries1]

))))

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

Just hump the soil by 40mm on one side, job done.

They won't care anyway, hopefully. They'll just be checking as they have to, presumably as there's been a complaint so have to report they've visited.

As long as there's no TV aerial or bathroom, or a family living there then there shouldn't be an issue.

Let us know what does or doesn't happen, this is interesting.

 

[Sitries1]

I can’t hump the soil up as the porcelain patio is laid abutting the highest part of the building. They are visiting at 10am on Friday so I will let you know! Not gona lie - I had a sleepless night over this last night. I’ve spend 15k on the garden room so having to tear it down or make a costly amendment would not be a good - especially in the current economic climate!

 

[Mottie]

I can’t hump the soil up as the porcelain patio is laid abutting the highest part of the building. They are visiting at 10am on Friday so I will let you know! Not gona lie - I had a sleepless night over this last night. I’ve spend 15k on the garden room so having to tear it down or make a costly amendment would not be a good - especially in the current economic climate!

Cover the patio with soil, you can always sweep it up afterwards - easier than taking the lot down. If that fails, you’d better have a nice cash bung ready. Good luck for Friday.

 

[Sitries1]

I’ve just requested to push the site visit back to Tuesday as I’m too worried I will get a jobsworth.

I’m gona put another layer of porcelain slabs down 600mm in front of the building to form a step. That will raise me up to there or there abouts where I need to be!

My builder mates are telling me they won’t care about 40mm but I know what these people can be like and I don’t want the aggregation of having to make adjustments to the roof or having to go through planning over 40mm!

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

If the slabs are not existing they will know that's not the existing ground level. Think you're overthinking it.

 

[big-all]

the ground level is still under the slab but may give him a "get out " iff he wants to measure and overlook whats at his feet