We live in open countryside in a former farmhouse with a number of outbuildings. One is a very old detatched cottage, uninhabited but used as part of the house, eg for visitor overflow, storage, and a computer room. The cottage is in sound condition, but unmodernised, and has not been seriously inhabited for a long time, although someone was living there in 1984 when it was dilapidated.
I repaired the fabric in 1985, and have used it as described ever since.
My question concerns its planning status, and what use we would be permitted to put it to, with or without further permission. Is it part of the house, a shed, an empty house in its own right? I am happy to let the present ambiguous position continue, without risking rocking the boat by asking the council, except that the question has now arisen of possibly moving my mother (aged 87) into the cottage.
Would this move simply be like using a spare room in the main house?
Is it the equivalent of creating a granny annexe, with any special rules applying?
Would it thereby become liable for council tax? ( albeit a single old person in receipt of attendance allowance)
Would this constitute change of use?
I repaired the fabric in 1985, and have used it as described ever since.
My question concerns its planning status, and what use we would be permitted to put it to, with or without further permission. Is it part of the house, a shed, an empty house in its own right? I am happy to let the present ambiguous position continue, without risking rocking the boat by asking the council, except that the question has now arisen of possibly moving my mother (aged 87) into the cottage.
Would this move simply be like using a spare room in the main house?
Is it the equivalent of creating a granny annexe, with any special rules applying?
Would it thereby become liable for council tax? ( albeit a single old person in receipt of attendance allowance)
Would this constitute change of use?