Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Oct 15, 2014 1:27 pm Hi Everyone, Bit of background. - we are on acres a new house was built with the DA/BA condition that the old home ( Built in 1939) had to have kitchen and laundry removed and made incapable of permanent occupation. Note the word "Permanent" We don't want to go through the process of a "change of use" as we don't want a b& b etc but we don't want to just let the very good old home just go to waste. It is only a one bedroom cottage but has lounge and dinning etc, bathroom and toilet. When I said remove Kitchen and laundry what is meant is remove, stove, kitchen sink, laundry tub etc. Kitchen cupboards remain Would make I suggest a great mancave Has anyone got any suggestions on what we could use this very sound little cottage for. Any and all suggestion would be appreciated Crankie Re: OLD HOUSE USES 2Oct 16, 2014 8:04 am Tart it up - new paint etc and just use it as an extra guest bedroom when rellys come to stay or if you have kids make it into a rumpus room/cottage so their friends can have sleep overs. Stewie Re: OLD HOUSE USES 3Oct 16, 2014 10:22 am What Stewie said above. Office / Home office/ Business area for yourself or to rent out Craft / activity sewing / painting area (studio) Gardening area Teenager activity area. Pool room / bar / table tennis etc Yoga / fitness studio Commercial kitchen for yourself or to rent out Cafe Holiday rental. I think you can do self catering rental without having to get licensed as a B & B. In some councils (like the one I'm in) B & B is an allowable use without needing a permit. Granny flat. I think you can use them for living in if for an immediate family member eg mum / dad /child Re: OLD HOUSE USES 4Oct 16, 2014 2:56 pm Thanks Guy's - It's a bit of a pain dealing with this council. As I said the condition was that the cottage was to be made "Incapable of Permanent Occupation" so I said to them ok that fine I can use it for temporary accommodation for guests or family etc. Council answer was NO the cottage is to be rendered "Uninhabitable". I pointed out that nowhere in their approval did it say that. Approval only stated it could not be permanently occupied but council went on to say that the wording in the approval should have been stronger !! and there can only be one building allowed. I maybe wrong but what should have been and what was stated is two different things and if council made a mistake they can't or should not be allowed to strengthen the conditions of an approval because they made an error. Crankie Re: OLD HOUSE USES 5Oct 17, 2014 10:55 am crankie Thanks Guy's - It's a bit of a pain dealing with this council. As I said the condition was that the cottage was to be made "Incapable of Permanent Occupation" so I said to them ok that fine I can use it for temporary accommodation for guests or family etc. Council answer was NO the cottage is to be rendered "Uninhabitable". I pointed out that nowhere in their approval did it say that. Approval only stated it could not be permanently occupied but council went on to say that the wording in the approval should have been stronger !! and there can only be one building allowed. I maybe wrong but what should have been and what was stated is two different things and if council made a mistake they can't or should not be allowed to strengthen the conditions of an approval because they made an error.Crankie you are getting worked up about nothing. The concept of permanently habitable means with cooking/bathing/ facilities permanently in place. If you remove them as stated, then all is fine. Dont say anything to council about temporary accommodation, its none of their business, how you accomodate guests (non paying) is your business, you can put up guests in your garage if you want. Just do as the conditions ask, and all is well. On acreage no one cares, you can do what you like anyway. This is all just paperwork. do it, then forget it. Put the stuff back after the job is finished if you like , oops...I didnt say that. Re: OLD HOUSE USES 6Oct 17, 2014 11:08 am Yes, Had the council out. They tend to huff and puff a bit. You are right I could put the gear back now and they could not give a hoot unless someone complains. Of course if goes without saying I would not even consider doing that They now classify the cottage as a class10a shed. Mind you there are plenty of people out this was living in sheds?? Even the inspector said he has to drive most of the time with his eye's closed as there are so many breaches around. Crankie Re: OLD HOUSE USES 7Oct 25, 2014 7:12 am We went through the process of getting council approval to convert the old cottage to a stained glass and jewelry making studio. Council decided that as long as I could meet their restrictions for an at-home business, we could keep a toilet, sinks, hot water heater and septic system. The restrictions were really specific; they provided a hand-out. The toilet and hot water were important to me because the cottage is a fair hike from the new house. Access to water, sinks and sewage are necessary for both glass and jewelry work. Our council was specifically worried about clandestine bed and breakfast set-ups, so we did not try to get approval for a shower or tub. Although, you know, a shower stall or a claw foot tub with a hand-held would be just the ticket for washing off really big stained glass panels...... Chris On the threshold of retirement... and trying to check my assumptions at the door Old Home Restoration / Renovation Hi, just discovered all these junks left behind under the floor. Could any of these be asbestos? Best to leave as it is or clean up? Thank you for your thoughts 0 8049 Is it possible to render an old corrugated iron shed.I have heard that it can be done if it is covered with chicken wire first.Not sure of the ratio of the render mix and… 0 4889 Thanks Chippy,I do have one that I levered out. I'll try to find a brand name on the windows then do some searching. Here is a photo where you can see how worn they are. 2 7947 |