House / Flat conversions - Planning

Hello All!

Thinking of converting a house into two flats.

Anyone been through the same exercise?

Do I need drawings for planning permissions? If so, do I need an architect, draughtsman or could I do them myself?

Any advice appreciated.

Cheers,

JPFQ

ps Any literature recommendations?

Hi

Yes - you will need drawings for planning permission. You will also need building control approval.

Converting a house into flats will require more thermal upgrading and significantly different fire resistance + escape requirements from a house. It's normally do-able but sometimes more expensive than people first think with this type of project. I would recommend talking to a builder that has done a similar project before and get a few ballpark figures so that you can see if you are going to make the right returns.

Obviously (as I am one) I'm going to recommend you get an architect to do your drawings. At the very least, get an architectural technician to do them. Check that whoever you use carries professional indemnity insurance. They'll be more expensive than someone who hasn't got it, but it provides you with some comeback if they get something wrong.

If you do them yourself, you may well get planning permission for something you can't get building control approval for. Which is annoying and potentially expensive.

Have a look at http://www.planningportal.gov.uk - it has useful planning advice but also links to the building regs which you can download.

Hope that helps

Also consider the need for:

a. consent from mortgagee [if house is mortgaged];

b. consent from freehold reversioner [if house is leasehold]; and

c. notification to the property insurance company.

Next, will the flats be retained by OP or sold-off?