Will I need building regs/approval for this?

[graham22k]

Hi, I'm looking to build a wooden workshop/shed on top of a mezzanine floor out the back of my house to allow underneath parking with a carport. Have had a go at drawing a plan, see below (in Microsoft word - don't laugh!)
At the moment the area is just a parking space with high wall at the back and approx. 2M of land running behind that, this is out the back of my house at the other side of an access lane - I would guess 8M distance from my kitchen. A few of my neighbours have built garages already, one of which I know did not tell the council.
I should also mention that the access lane is our own private property, as I understand we each own the section located directly outside our houses.

I'm wondering whether this would need building regs or any other type of approval?
I was hoping to go ahead without..
Thanks

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

So it's not attached to the house? Planning would be required and I would predict that the chances of getting planning approval are about 1%. I would also add that if you built it without planning permission then the local authority would be extremely likely to take as much enforcement action as was required to have it removed. It would be a complete eyesore.

 

[graham22k]

Not attached to the house, as mentioned 8M away where I currently have a parking space. It would not be an eyesore - our houses back on to a hill, the height of the workshop would match up with the height of my back fence, and there is a neighbours garage directly behind that. No one else would have a reason to know it has been built other than my direct neighbours who are happy for me to go ahead.

 

[graham22k]

have added some photos..

 

[graham22k]

Planning would be required and I would predict that the chances of getting planning approval are about 1%

Presumably due to the RSJ frame not the timber shed?
thanks

 

[^woody^]

It would not need building regs, and I can't see why it would not get planning permission if applied for.

You should get the proposal drawn up by a competent person to better illustrate how the work will fit in to the surroundings. Not just basic line drawings, as the planner won't fully appreciate the proposal.

 

[graham22k]

Thanks Woody.
Wow- two very different opinions, I know which I am hoping is correct!
Can anyone help with an internet link/guide to the correct procedures I need to take before starting work on this? I.e applying for planning permission, discussing my intentions with a structural engineer. Anything else?
(that's assuming I have to legally run past a structural engineer, its pretty straight forward as long as I dig deep footings in the slab where each of the RSJ supports will be)
I did an internet search and it seems it will cost in the region of £300 for planning permission..

Thanks again
Graham

 

[^woody^]

Look at the planning portal for planning information.

You don't have to "legally" run it past anyone. But if you want a steel frame structure, then a structural engineer would normally be the person with experience to design one. But they don't tend to have special knowledge of planning or building regulation matters.

Otherwise, you instruct an architectural technician or similar to do the planning and regulation design, and they will engage a structural engineer for the specialist design.

 

[big-all]

the reason for the confusion is you didnt state a sloping site
the datum point for the shed is the highest bit off ground it covers as the zero point

 

[graham22k]

Thanks both for your replies, I shall check out the planning portal.

One further question, I'm toying with the idea of potentially using wood instead of RSJs, not ideal but potentially cheaper and it would certainly look less permanent.
Would this sway the requirement for planning permission? As I understand with a complete timber construction of below a certain size the planners would not need notifying..

Thanks (again)
Graham

 

[^woody^]

Steel/wood/permanence will have little to do with a planning decision

 

[graham22k]

ok thanks