Atlantic Road, Great Barr, Birmingham, B44 8LN.

 

Householder Planning Application Approved for house extensions and re-modelling, and a new detached garage and home office.

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The Planning Application

 

Following an initial free planning appraisal with the applicants En-Plan drafted a scheme for the extension and re-modelling of the property and the creation of a new garage and home office that was subsequently submitted to and approved by Birmingham City Council Planning Department.  The application has gained permission for a new porch extension to the fore and a rear extension that adds a new utility room and a new contemporary conservatory added to the rear of the property.  A new detached garage and home office was also added to the planning application and all elements add real value to the property and demonstrate the development potential at the property.

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It should be noted that you can create a porch extension up to three square metres without planning permission but it was felt better to include all elements of the development in the application so there is no question in the future over the acceptability of the development.  The same is true of the garage where if the design ensured the height of the garage were kept to 2.5 meters it would not require planning permission but as it was over 2.5 metres in height and located within two metres of the boundary therefore the guidance covering outbuildings required planning approval.

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Bacground to the proposal

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The applicants were keen to engage in property development and add value to their property. The property is located in Great Barr which is loosely defined area to the north-west of Birmingham, England. The area was historically in Staffordshire, and the parts now in Birmingham were once known as Perry Barr.  The housing stock in the area is chacraterised by inter-war porpertties with rera access points and large rear garderns whcih lend the proeprties to be extended and have new garaging added in the rear curtilage.

 

What is the history of Great Barr?

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Great Barr was largely rural until the early 20th century, though it was influenced by the early stages of the industrial revolution which affected the nearby towns of Birmingham and the Black Country. The Staffordshire parish of Barr straddled the route from Birmingham to Walsall. Birmingham's historian William Hutton was surprised to see so many nail-making workshops in the area. He noted that "in some of these workshops I observed one, or more, females, stripped of their upper garments, and not overcharged with the lower, wielding the hammer with all the grace of their sex".

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The Planning Application

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Following gthe formaulation and submission  of a formal planning application a formal approval was receieved from Birmingham City Council who found the planning aplication presented no issues with regard to visual or residential amenity and the new garage located to the rear and accessed off a private drive presented no detrimental impact upon highway safety in the locality.

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Is building regulations approval needed for an outbuilding?

 

If you want to put up small detached buildings such as a garden shed or summerhouse in your garden, building regulations will not normally apply if the floor area of the building is less than 15 square metres and contains NO sleeping accommodation. If the floor area of the building is between 15 square metres and 30 square metres, you will not normally be required to apply for building regulations approval providing that the building contains NO sleeping accommodation and is either at least one metre from any boundary or it is constructed substantially of non-combustible materials. This section provides you with general information to help you comply with the Building Regulations when constructing a new outbuilding within the boundaries of an existing propert.

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Building a new garage attached to an existing home would normally need building regulations approval.

Building a new attached carport (open on at least two sides) would not normally require building regulations approval if it is less than 30 square metres in floor area. Building a detached garage of less than 30 square metres floor area would not normally need building regulations approval if:

• the floor area of the detached garage is less than 15 square metres.

• the floor area of the garage is between 15 square metres and 30 square metres, provided the garage is at least one metre from any boundary, or it is constructed substantially of non-combustible materials.

 

If you want to convert an integral or attached garage into habitable use, building regulations will normally apply, view specific information for garage conversions. In many cases, these structures will be exempt from requiring approval under the Building Regulations if they meet certain exemption criteria. If the Building Regulations do apply to the building then it must be built to reasonable standards.

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Further Information

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If you would like to find out more about how our Planning Consultancy and Architectural Design Services can work in perfect sync to achieve a successful outcome in the planning system please contact us and we will be only too happy to talk through any questions or development proposals you may have.

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