Lean to garage

[Galleon]

Hi.

We purchased our 1930 semi 3 years ago with what we thought was a garage on a side. We had an architect last week and he told us that this is not a garage at all. It is something built in the 80. There is no planning or BC record.
I am attaching some pictures.
From one side the roof is attached to our house, the other side sits on metal post which are in concrete. We do not have wall on the other side and what is on the pictures is our neighbour garage wall. The floor is 15-20cm concrete slab.

An engineer said building foundations will be very difficult because of different level with our neighbours and sewer which is 1.95m deep.
We want to use it for storage but it needs building works i.e roof, door etc.

According to Planning portal i need BC for this structure, but since it was built ages ago, can I make anything to it?

 

[JohnD]

it might possibly have been constructed as a carport, which does not need planning or BC if it meets the specifications, that has subsequently been "improved"

IIRC a carport has to be open on 3 sides.

there may be some other derogation for a shed.

Didn't the architect have any suggestions?

 

[Galleon]

Unfortunately he did not suggested anything apart of making some “quiet” improvements which will not draw attention.
It was designed to be closed from the beginning. There is a water drain in the concrete where the back door is.

Also i am pretty sure at least 3-4 houses on our street have these “garages”.

I thought of upgrading with sectional lean to garage but I would still need BC. The only option would be putting detached sectional garage, altering this one to self standing or reaching some kind of agreement with BC ( dont know if that would be possible).

Anyone had such situations?

 

[^woody^]

Build a timber frame wall off the slab, and lightweight EPDM covered roof.