Retrospective Change of Use from a Barn to Dwellinghouse (4 year rule)

The client contacted Planning By Design regarding a retrospective change of use from a barn to dwellinghouse. Following a planning appraisal with one of our chartered town planners, it was determined that securing retrospective planning approval for the change of use from a barn to a dwellinghouse was feasible. Providing enough evidence could be supplied to demonstrate the existing use for 4 or more years, a retrospective certificate of lawful use was recommended as the best course of action.

One of our chartered architects prepared the necessary architect drawings which the client approved. Following the approved architectural design, one of our chartered town planners prepared the required planning statement and supporting evidence, to justify why the council should approve the application.With the clients approval everything has been submitted with a retrospective lawful development certificate application for existing use under the 4 year rule.

A certificate of lawfulness has now been approved to legalise the change of use from a barn to a dwellinghouse. The client is now protected from retrospective planning issues indefinitely and will not have any problems when it comes to re-mortgaging, insuring or selling the property.