Conversions
Converting old buildings into residential use is a particularly controversial planning issue. Homebuilding & Renovating have put together 10 useful tips to ensure you are kept fully up-to-date.
Take Nothing for Granted
There is a natural tendency to assume that any vacant building is fair game for conversion to a house. However, different local authorities have different planning policies about what they will and won’t allow to be converted. Converting a barn into a house could be accepted on one side of the road, but the same proposal could be refused on the other if it happens to fall within a different district. So buying a nonresidential redundant building of any kind with a view to conversion will be a bit risky in some locations and total madness in others. Where possible, do your homework by approaching local planning authorities informally before you commit to purchase — the use of ‘option’ agreements minimises your risk by committing you to purchase the barn upon receipt of planning approval.
Commercial Use is Preferred
An increasing number of local councils in rural areas, with support from the Government, will try to prevent residential conversions. For example, a redundant school, church or community hall might in physical terms be capable of being converted to a house but in some local authorities they would want proof that the building could not be used for a commercial, business or other alternative community use. Only if it can be proven – following a sustained marketing campaign – that such an alternative would not be viable might they allow the change of use to residential. In other local authority areas they may be more relaxed and permission might be granted quite easily. So if you’re looking at a conversion opportunity, take nothing for granted in terms of the planning policy background; if you can’t afford to take the risk then only buy subject to getting the planning permission you need.
Pay Attention to Structural Condition
It sounds like stating the obvious but to convert a building it needs to be physically capable of being converted. I have had experience of barns that have collapsed and other buildings that have been accidentally demolished. The result is the total loss of the planning permission; the hapless owner is left with a bit of field and nothing to convert. Many local authorities will require a full structural survey with an application for conversion, so they are satisfied it will not need to be rebuilt.
View the full article
The conversion of industrial buildings into living spaces has brought regeneration to urban areas throughout the UK. However, as property prices continue to rise and large developers take over, individuals looking to convert buildings are having to look harder for affordable opportunities.
Conversions of this nature can also be very lucrative if you are looking to sell on the property upon completion, but it is vital that you make sure the property is worth converting in the first place. In this article Homebuilding & Renovating magazine looks at all the factors you should consider when looking for a property to convert.
View this article
Book Tickets Now for the Homebuilding & Renovating Shows