Can We Increase the size of Our live/Work unit?
QQWe are trying to build a live/work unit on our smallholding. We wanted to incorporate 300m2 of work space together with 250m2 of domestic space. We’ve been told that we can have a separate building of 300m2 for the works unit, but the house can only be 175m2 as it is classed as an agricultural workers’ dwelling. The planning officer advised us to look at other applications for agricultural workers’ dwellings and we are finding that the size varies from 104m2 up to 235m2. Is there any way we could increase the size of the house, as we really do not think 175m2 provides us with enough space for our family of five?
AMICHAEL HOLMES SAYS:
I would suggest that you make a planning application for
what is being offered to you first — a 175m2 dwelling. Design it so that it can be extended in the future, or to allow a subsequent application for a larger version of the approved dwelling. Rather than fight the battle now, take an incremental approach, accepting the current position and then asking for a little bit more. Once the biggest obstacle of getting permission for a new agricultural workers’ dwelling has been overcome, going back for a slightly larger approval will be less controversial.
If this fails, build the dwelling and apply for an extension. Once the business has grown and is generating a larger income, it will be easier to justify the larger dwelling. One option would be to include roof space in the design and an integral garage that has potential for conversion at a later date to create more living space.