Converting a garage into a studio

[Hodders]

The house we live in has a detached garage accessible via the lane we live on (front) and the bottom of our garden (door into garage).

The garage building is terraced (different neighbours on both sides) and dates back about 150 years. It is about 3.5m wide and about 8m deep although it narrows to about 2.5m at the garden end.

Height - it has a pitched roof on the road end and a sloping corrugated roof at the other which runs up to meet the main pitched roof. The pitched end would allow about 15 feet of height at the apex.

In short it would make a pretty fine studio/office space.

It would need proper insulation etc. and would obviously cost a fair bit. But all of this assumes that we could get planning so:

1) Assuming we don't expand the existing floor area - do we need planning consent ?

2) If I wanted to make some money out of the studio would this constitute change of use and require planning ?

3) The up-and-over door is straight onto a quite lane. If I wanted to brick this up with a door would the fact that the door is straight onto the lane present an issue from a planning perspective ?

I know that the best answer here is talk to the planning office and maybe get a site visit, but will they do this free of charge or will it cost ?

Cheers all !

 

[RichHobson]

1. It would require a change of use. Be prepared to pay business rates on it.

2. The conversion would need building regs approval to ensure it fitsd in with current building regs in terms of

a. Needs to be a double skin wall with sufficient insulation between skins
b. Needs to have a damp proof course which may involve removing floor
c. Ceiling needs to be insultated to current standards
d. Walls need ventilation.
e. You need a window for vwntilation to current standards.

I've looked into it myself and doing it right can cost arounf 10 -15 k

Doing it on the sly would cost far less but wouldn't last as long and if discovered - well.

 

[Kemble3]

Hi Ben

I think if your are serious about making money out of any new studio project, you have to invest in the right advise first, i.e. if you have to pay for it, then do so. If you do things because a mate or some one who thinks they know the answer said its OK, then you fall foul of the local authority, the cost implications could be huge.

You will also need to consider insurance, both public liability and buildings and contents, and if the public will be using the studio, do you have loos and washing facilities available?

My advise is simple, get a professional in to assist you. It will be cheaper in the long run.