Increased eaves height of building... planning enforcement !!

[Northernlad999]

Hi, we have a steel framed barn, about 45 ft x 30 ft. We recently had the cement sheet roof replaced, and some steels changed, as they were dated and in need of replacement.
Whilst doing this we have raised the eaves height by approximately 30cm...

Our one neighbour has dobbed us in to planning, and now enforecment are saying we need to reduce the height back to the previous level, or put in for a retrospective planning application. However we are worried that if they grant us permission... which most likely they will, they will remove our Class Q rights....

As eventually we want to turn this into a house

so our options are:

a) put in for retrspective permission
b) remove the roof and the steels and revert back to original height at a cost of approx £5000
c) put in for a class q conversion now
d) put in for full planning permission for the building to residential outside of class q....

any advice would be appeciated

 

[Nearly]

@George from SJM Planning

 

[George from SJM Planning]

Hi @Northernlad999 - sounds like a bit of a predicament, you are no longer under the radar and your next move may be critical. I've got your PM too but my initial thought is that you need to question the intention to enforce against you. The GPDO states that Prior Approval is only required "in the case of a significant extension or a significant alteration" and in the public interest to enforce.

Ask the enforcement officer to put in writing under what grounds they would enforce against you. Please state that you do not believe the works constitute a significant extension or a significant alteration and therefore under Schedule 2, Part 6, Class A, Paragraph A.2, Sub Paragraph (3) of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended) you are not required to seek Prior Approval.

 

[Northernlad999]

Many thanks this is most helpful. I will try that before hiring a telehandler ! Thanks again

 

[robs1]

Have you raised the eaves height as you describe or the apex height IIRC the eaves height isnt important but the apex height is. Dont believe anything an enforcement officer says, make them produce the law they say you have infringed

 

[Pistonbroke]

Could add 30 cm to the floor using easily removed material

 

[George from SJM Planning]

Many thanks this is most helpful. I will try that before hiring a telehandler ! Thanks again

Until you get an enforcement notice then don't do anything rash - a visit from an officer just means they are doing their job.

 

[Northernlad999]

Have you raised the eaves height as you describe or the apex height IIRC the eaves height isnt important but the apex height is. Dont believe anything an enforcement officer says, make them produce the law they say you have infringed

Hi, both the eaves height and the apex have increased in height by 30cm, the rafters are the same ones as previous

 

[robs1]

Hi, both the eaves height and the apex have increased in height by 30cm, the rafters are the same ones as previous

Ok then you have a potential problem I fear, of course they have to prove it.

 

[Bongodog]

Hi, both the eaves height and the apex have increased in height by 30cm, the rafters are the same ones as previous

How have you managed to reroof a barn and increase the roof height so much. It must be some mega deep purlins or a very well insulated roof deck.

 

[Tarw Coch]

Ok then you have a potential problem I fear, of course they have to prove it.

Depends if the OP has admitted they’ve raised it.
30cm ain’t a lot, I suspect it might take some proving if they flat denied it unless whatever they’ve done to raise it is very obvious

 

[Blue.]

Hi, we have a steel framed barn, about 45 ft x 30 ft. We recently had the cement sheet roof replaced, and some steels changed, as they were dated and in need of replacement.
Whilst doing this we have raised the eaves height by approximately 30cm...

Our one neighbour has dobbed us in to planning, and now enforecment are saying we need to reduce the height back to the previous level, or put in for a retrospective planning application. However we are worried that if they grant us permission... which most likely they will, they will remove our Class Q rights....

As eventually we want to turn this into a house

so our options are:

a) put in for retrspective permission
b) remove the roof and the steels and revert back to original height at a cost of approx £5000
c) put in for a class q conversion now
d) put in for full planning permission for the building to residential outside of class q....

any advice would be appeciated

Did you raise the roof height by digging the floor out?

 

[Flatlander]

was the height raised to allow for easier access, ask the neighbour if if he could witness your signature as your going to apply for change of use to an indoor pig unit now that your being asked to reduce the height.

 

[Courier]

Could you not backfill the ground level around the walls of the shed by 35cm thus re-instating the approved external eaves to ground height ?

 

[George from SJM Planning]

Any update?