Coalhouse extension help

[Derekbirmingham]

hello people i found this forum and it looks great..im derek a roof leak fixer from brum uk..
My dads 88 and needs a downstairs toilet/shower in our xcouncil house..
Im eyeing up the coalhouse in the entry and think if i could double the size of it i could fit a toilet and walk in shower..
I know roofing and electrics but never done the building groundwork side..
Ive attached photos..
The old brick layer over the road from me says rather than digging a footing i could lay blocks on concrete lintels,?..sounded a bit weird to me..
From the photos any opinions on doubling the size of my coalhouse..thanks people..

 

[Derekbirmingham]

Has anyone done this type of project before

 

[stuart45]

Are you going through Building Control?

 

[Derekbirmingham]

Ill be honest i dont know what building control is..

 

[stuart45]

https://www.gov.uk/building-regulations-approval

 

[Derekbirmingham]

Get approval for a tiny coalhouse extension.?
I dont think the people on my estate get approval..

 

[noseall]

Get approval for a tiny coalhouse extension.?

Yes. Even a bay window is an extension and would be treated a such by Building Control.

It's up to you how you tackle the coalhouse but the guys on here are likely to talk you through it as though you are adhering to Building Regulations. What most are probably thinking in terms of renovating the old coal house is (and no disrespect intended) "lipstick on a pig". In other words, most would probably demolish the coal house and start again due to the amount of invasive work needed to bring it up to scratch.

Not adhering to reg's is illegal and will bite you on the bum if you ever want to sell the place.

 

[^woody^]

Have you asked at the Council to get this work done for free, or a contributory grant under CSDPA?

http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20061/physical_disability_services

 

[Derekbirmingham]

Thanks for your responces ..”pig with lipstick”
Bit harsh but maybe right..and woody i have contacted birmingham city council and there sending an accessor round very soon..me dad needs a downstairs shower toilet and well see what the council reccomend..side entry is the only place to do it really thats why i was eyeing up the coal house..8 week wait for the accessor ,so hopefully the visit is imminent..
Last house he was in had a cracking coalhouse and ice cold toilet that would have been ideal to convert..

 

[noseall]

”pig with lipstick”
Bit harsh

The term is actually "you wouldn't put lipstick on a pig"...or "you wouldn't polish a turd".

Not meaning to be harsh although the wording sounds it. It basically says that you would be foolish to throw a lot of money at a low spec building in order to bring it up to reg's standard, when starting from scratch would be more economical.