Hi all,
thought I'd start with what will hopefully be a simple story, but we'll see.
Bought a 1900's end terrace house couple of years back, got a local loft conversion specialist to add 2 rooms on top, within PD. Bit of a saga with the builders (falling through one of my internal ceilings, and also onto a neighbours roof), but all sorted out. Building regs finally received autumn last year.
Couple of weeks back, got an 'alleged breach' notice from Hackney Council, claiming an 'unauthorised loft conversion, and inviting me to either:
a - permanently and completely remove the 'unauthorised work to the roof window'
or
b -apply for planning permission within 28 days
or
c - reply stating why I thought the above do not apply.
I responded via option c, rationale being that loft built under PD.
(and I even have an email from the builder to this effect, not that it's worth much)
Any thoughts on next steps? From reading the forum, seems like next response from the council will be either an enforcement notice, telling me what the actual problem is, or no response.
The loft conversion is quite standard, the loft company do loads of them as there are lots of identical terrace houses, probably now 5 conversions of the same type in our street alone. There are no _side_ windows, the exterior finish is slate tile which broadly matches local roofs, velux windows to front, dormer that is not flush to existing wall (20cm bit), and the plans specify a volume of 39.xx m3. I'm at a loss to understand the councils concerns - and they don't respond to emails or calls...
If I get an EN, I'll appeal - any recommendations on companies who can help with this would be gratefully received - I've found one, they're not local, but seem to specialise in this.
As an aside, I'd like to do more work (side extension) which _will_ required PP - any thoughts on whether that is likely to be affected by the above?
cheers
h.
thought I'd start with what will hopefully be a simple story, but we'll see.
Bought a 1900's end terrace house couple of years back, got a local loft conversion specialist to add 2 rooms on top, within PD. Bit of a saga with the builders (falling through one of my internal ceilings, and also onto a neighbours roof), but all sorted out. Building regs finally received autumn last year.
Couple of weeks back, got an 'alleged breach' notice from Hackney Council, claiming an 'unauthorised loft conversion, and inviting me to either:
a - permanently and completely remove the 'unauthorised work to the roof window'
or
b -apply for planning permission within 28 days
or
c - reply stating why I thought the above do not apply.
I responded via option c, rationale being that loft built under PD.
(and I even have an email from the builder to this effect, not that it's worth much)
Any thoughts on next steps? From reading the forum, seems like next response from the council will be either an enforcement notice, telling me what the actual problem is, or no response.
The loft conversion is quite standard, the loft company do loads of them as there are lots of identical terrace houses, probably now 5 conversions of the same type in our street alone. There are no _side_ windows, the exterior finish is slate tile which broadly matches local roofs, velux windows to front, dormer that is not flush to existing wall (20cm bit), and the plans specify a volume of 39.xx m3. I'm at a loss to understand the councils concerns - and they don't respond to emails or calls...
If I get an EN, I'll appeal - any recommendations on companies who can help with this would be gratefully received - I've found one, they're not local, but seem to specialise in this.
As an aside, I'd like to do more work (side extension) which _will_ required PP - any thoughts on whether that is likely to be affected by the above?
cheers
h.