Opinions on this please

[Russanthonypowell]

I have some nice little outbuildings on my smallholding, I am currently doing them up and want to have the hayloft be a bedroom with a ladder access the room below will have basic shower, toilet and cooking, resting facilities, externally nothing changes. My wish for this is that i want to belong to an organisation called warm showers where you host long distance cyclists ( i am one of them), so its basic bunkhouse and non profit accomodation. decided that planning is not required, what are peoples judgements??

 

[cross thread]

As it’s becoming a dwelling I would think planning is required ,fire escape etc

 

[stevie888]

It's a change of use so that would mean PP. You'd also need a proper stair to a bedroom.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I am currently doing them up and want to have the hayloft be a bedroom with a ladder access the room below will have basic shower

Supposing someone in bed, and there is a fire below, a ladder would not be an adequate means of escape.

 

[Russanthonypowell]

The hayloft is already a place people stay, is this not personal choice and not really againgst any regulation, travellers just hunker down on there carry mat and sleeping bag. I offer shelter for free, But as said are planning to modernise a bit. Anybody able to direct me towards legaslation on this.

 

[Stuart981]

If you allow people to stay in the buildings then the buildings would need to comply with building regs and also having some form of public liability insurance in place might be a good idea.

 

[Russanthonypowell]

My accomodation is for travelers on bycycles who seek basic shelter, which is what I aim to provide a similar but with a few tweaks accomodation model to https://www.mountainbothies.org.uk/ suely no building regs here.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Whilst we understand and can applaud the ethos and can also sympathise, unfortunately Building Regs absolutely would apply, as would suitable insurance be necessary but if you go rogue that's your call.

At least that would be my take on it.

 

[Russanthonypowell]

Not wishing to be antagonistic but on what basis are we saying the building regs would absolutely apply when there is an absolute no chance of building regs applying for bothies, they have many similarities.

 

[stevie888]

You've been given people's opinions, OP. Up to you to a accept or ignore but you don't seem to want to?

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Having a bit of a google, it looks like there were proposals made in 2015 to make them exempt from the Scottish Building Regs but I can't see any reference with regards to England Regs or whether the Scottish proposals were enacted. Bit of a funny one.

 

[Russanthonypowell]

Apologise I seem to be upsetting viewers. But thanks FMT, yes it is a bit of a funny one, as suggested go rogue, this will what i think I will do.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

My accomodation is for travelers on bycycles who seek basic shelter, which is what I aim to provide a similar but with a few tweaks accomodation model to https://www.mountainbothies.org.uk/ suely no building regs here.

Free, or paid for, you still have a liability, to ensure what you offer is safe to use.

 

[Collectors]

The other thing to look into is if its liable for seperate council tax. There are a few been caught out on granny flats. Make sure it don't have an aerial on the roof or sat dish.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Googling suggests they're excluded from council tax too.