A Granny Annexe in the Garden

Have you looked at pods, Merlotgran? You will find quite a lot of examples if you google. They look fab to me.

I have, Mamie and I agree they look great but we will probably be better off converting the existing building which already has a kitchen, cloakroom (which can be changed into a shower room) and enough interior space for a lounge and bedroom. We've done our sums and it shouldn't cost a lot although we will have to add two more windows and replace the existing ones.

I've been wondering about the permitted distance from the existing dwelling.

I would get an Architect on board. They will do all the negotiation with the planners and often know them from previous jobs. There are lots of rules and regulations for domestic dwellings and this conversion would probably be classed as a new build, requiring definite new standards for insulation etc. A local Architect would probably give you advice and works for a fixed price and save you money in the long run.
Sounds a lovely project, good luck. x

Good idea re architect and I have found planners very pleasant. Go to your town hall with your list of questions and maybe a photo or two and ask to see the "duty planner". They will answer your questions I am sure.

Merlotwww.planningportal.gov.uk/general/news/stories/2013/Jan13/31012013/31012013_1 This says that for 3 years you can convert an office into a house without the need for planning permission.

But you would still have to comply with building regs as far as internal alterations went, I think, but in my experience the building regs people are not quite so intransigent as planners sometimes appear to be

Thanks Jess, jane, and J52. We will definitely get an architect.

The reason we're doing this is an eye to the future for us and also to help DD who has just had her rent increased again and is sick and tired of trying to get her landlady to sort out the damp/mould/dodgy boiler etc., etc. Her health is suffering and we have more than we need here. The smallholding is hard work although we love it so two strapping grandsons will be more than useful They help out most weekends for pocket money so they might as well live here!!

DD has always said she wants to support us in the event of us needing help so we're hoping this is the right way forward. Funny how daunting these ideas become when you finally have to bite the bullet and get on with it. We've already downsized once so I'm not looking forward to the big 'declutter' again but it's got to be done. At least we've got the summer ahead of us.

We are just looking to move to a cottage with a grandad annexe for my father

I'm only 66. I can't believe I'm even thinking about it but DH will need help if I become ill (or worse). We will make it as big as we are allowed and as I'm not really an indoor kind of person unless I'm in my beloved kitchen, I will think of a quirky name for it. NOT Granny Annexe.

We had to move my mother three times in as many years so at the moment the building is jam packed full with all her STUFF that we've been too lazy busy to sort out.

My parents were going to convert an existing outbuilding for my step-grandmother. They got the necessary planning etc, the only restriction (other than building regs) was that there was some sort of "order" or covenant type thing that said it could only be used for family members.

I think this is for 2 reasons, obviously so it can't be sold separately and also so that it shouldn't be used as a holiday let.

What a good idea merlot this will be so nice for your family. I hope that you will be allowed a large space by the planners.

That's right, phoenix. It has to be one or t'other. We had sketch plans drawn about twelve years ago for a holiday cottage because people were being urged to provide accommodation in this area but then two women contacted us wanting to rent it as a catering kitchen for their fledgling business. As it had been designed and built for my own catering business, which I had just sold, we snatched their hand off. They stayed for ten years and were lovely tenants. Time to do something else with it now. It's too good to be just used as a store room.

How about "Wits End" ?

merlotgran what happens to the annexe when you and your DH are no longer around?

It sounds a really nice idea. So long as you don't mind too much handing over your "beloved kitchen" to another woman, even if it is to your daughter.

I think it would be lovely to have them close.

I read something yesterday in the Sunday Times about rule changes to some of the costs involved in building on to existing homes and also new builds. It is going to change for the better and you will no longer have to pay the section 106 charge so you might want to look into this and time it right.

A friend of ours bought a large house and converted it into two dwellings although it does have a door between the two both upstairs and down so that it is still officially one house. She and her husband have 2 bedrooms and her DD and family have 5. It works very well for all concerned and the original suggestion came from her SiL.

Two houses will incur 2 council tax, water etc but one would not.

I like 'Wits End', phoenix

jingl I suppose the advantage of handing over my beloved kitchen will be that DD can cook the sodding lovely Sunday lunches that I've been doing for years.

Charleygirl, When we're yanking up nettles in the great fen garden in the sky, DD can get 'change of use' permission for various options. It's already been a catering kitchen and we were told that a holiday cottage would not be a problem provided there's a need.