Author Topic: Living accommodation in shed (Read 5750 times)

James1 · « **on:** May 21, 2017, 08:39:15 pm »

Hi all, I was looking into building a new steel frame workshop storage building. I was thinking of the possibility of having an upper floor in half the shed . In this upper floor I was thinking of having a living area for lunch/tea breaks and also sofa and wood burner. I wasn't planning on having any outside faceing windows so wouldn't be visible from outside. Has anyone ever built something like this before?
JR

Rupert the bear · « **Reply #1 on:** May 21, 2017, 09:16:59 pm »

probably but I wouldn't advertise the fact , the wood burner wont help with keeping a low profile, didn't for me a freind

do you intend to live there ? if just a "tea room" I wouldn't think it a problem

James1 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 22, 2017, 04:52:59 am »

Yeh it would be basically a comfortable tea room where we could sit somewhere warm and get out the rain for a few hours. I could live in it quiet happily but I don't think the rest of our household would ha ha.

ellied · « **Reply #3 on:** May 22, 2017, 07:00:20 am »

You might want to consider a less obvious heating source than a woodburner, something that wouldn't draw attention. Smoke rising from an apparently agricultural or workshop building might result in visits from the fire brigade let alone planning..

A calor gas fire, space heater or something might be easier and also support the 'temporary' nature of your use. Woodburners do suggest permamence of use and a more domestic flavour - unless you're in a woodcrafting workshop or timber supplier where it is obviously just a practicality!

mart6 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 22, 2017, 08:15:03 am »

Agree could be a real fire hazard especially if you have hay and straw in building.
Council will certainly have a look if its spotted or reported.

I had a enforcement notice served over various issues and i appeled.
Building mothers kidded in was heated by wood/smokeless burner in separate building.
It heated kidding area and day room via radiators.
Council made a song and dance about it planning inspector said it was acceptable.

Only issue is if council think you intend to live there and keep a eye open
But then again if its a welfare emergency or ill animal you can stay overnight

Fleecewife · « **Reply #5 on:** May 22, 2017, 11:18:24 am »

Mr F built an agricultural shed with an upper floor (with full planners approval). However, it's used for storage and he also intends to have his train set up there

. He hasn't built the stairs yet so it's only accessible by ladder, and as I hate ladders I don't go up there. We do though have a 'tea corner' in the main part of the building. There are chairs, a kettle, water and biccies etc, plus a heater - one of those Dyson oval ones which can blast out the heat. Also a dehumidifier, as the steel walls, although they're lined with wood, nonetheless collect moisture. There are double glazed windows to keep the place from freezing in winter, and grass outside to the south so we can sit outside for our tea when it's warm.
We did consider a wood burning stove, but we decided that it was too much of a fire hazard (with agric vehicles and fleece stored there), plus by the time we'd got it heated up we would have finished whatever we were doing there.

I think you will fall foul as you are calling it living accommodation, rather than a rest area. For us, our house is only about 100yds from the building, so we only use it for tea when we're too lazy or too busy to trot down to the kitchen.

Backinwellies · « **Reply #6 on:** May 22, 2017, 12:08:22 pm »

I would change your subject heading and keep idea to yourself ..... who knows where the planning bods lurk looking for unsuspecting victims!

landroverroy · « **Reply #7 on:** May 23, 2017, 02:55:57 pm »

Quote from: Backinwellies on May 22, 2017, 12:08:22 pm

I would change your subject heading and keep idea to yourself ..... who knows where the planning bods lurk looking for unsuspecting victims!

Agreed. Surely it's a "rest room"

I would just go for it. The planners won't know so long as you keep it low key, and even if they do then it's hardly a hanging offence and may not even require their consent if you phrase things/argue correctly.
I don't see why a log burner should cause any sort of issue either. They are a fairly common feature in workshops.

doganjo · « **Reply #8 on:** May 24, 2017, 03:29:41 pm »

I've been to a number of tests and trials where exactly that is in place. The one I remember best at Qest Linton, is a large agri barn, one section for storage and for machinery/tractors. And the other section consists of a toilet, and a large living area with a woodburner at one end, and comfy chairs and a settee; there's a large wooden table and dining chairs in the middle and a kitchen at the end nearest the toilet.
Excellent for recovery on wet days after a shoot.

DavidandCollette · « **Reply #9 on:** May 28, 2017, 10:09:41 am »

We use a caravan burn it went through planning when we put polytunnels up ans the parish clerk reported us. I think that they were so concerned with thetunnels that they didn't notice they were sat in the caravan discussing it