wonder while calculating 50% can we include the drivewag area too..
yes, as long as you own it - i.e. it's registered as part of your property on the land Register and isn't part of the Highway or a shared access with other properties.
We have made several alterations to our house including replacing a ramshackle wooden garage and we have e-mailed planning and building control before starting work asking if permission is required. Even if you know that it isn't it is useful to have that in writing in case regulations have changed if you want to sell in the future.
The planners are not legally responsible for the advice they give you, even if you pay them for it. Having a letter from the planners saying you don't need permission would not help if your neighbour took you to court and it was proved that actually you did. Nor can you sue the planners for your losses incurred following their bad advice.
Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
Planning won't comment on any proposal now without a pre-planning application enquiry being submitted with the required fee having been paid. The advice they then give is 'officer opinion' and not legally binding. If they say you don't need planning approval in their opinion then you can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate which gives you the legal paperwork to say planning approval isn't required. You will need a certain amount of drawings and details to accompany the application though. The cert is helpful in stopping neighbour disputes and for if you need to sell the house at any point. Building Control will let you know for free if their inspections are required though but they may need drawings to judge it by again.
If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
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The planners are not legally responsible for the advice they give you, even if you pay them for it. Having a letter from the planners saying you don't need permission would not help if your neighbour took you to court and it was proved that actually you did. Nor can you sue the planners for your losses incurred following their bad advice.
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”