Workshops at home...

[Blagadan]

If given the choice, would you be looking for the one big workshop (or the space to build one) or would you actually prefer to have several different areas for parts/storage, construction, planning m, etc?

One big workshop with an isloated and "fan vented" area for cutting & grinding.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Id give up my spare bandsaw to have one or maybe two big sheds.

Steady now!! Take a few deep breathes

 

[Cobbler]

When we moved, 20 odd years ago, the estate agent asked what we wanted. I said "a nice garage/workshop and a bedroom" & my wife said "a big kitchen and a bedroom" the estate agent thought we were mad, but I know you lot will understand. We bought privately in the end, a 3 bed bungalow with a double garage with a large workshop area attached & decent parking.

 

[CompoSimmonite]

Check with council about planning rules for any potential property to see if there is restictions in place over business use. Neighbour used to keep stock for his business (early SKY installations) in his garage. Council says planning permission was required as it was no longer a domestic garage but used for storage of commercial products - or something similar. In the end he bought a ratty old none runner van and used that for storage in the drive as council confirmed that was acceptable ! Somebody else I know makes gates in his domestic garage. He got reported for running a business and council simply recatagorised it as a Cottage Industry so he could legaly continue.

 

[cumbriasteve]

Unfortunately so do the night magpies, relatively easy to cut and pry. After the spate of tool thefts around here another 7 within a mile (in other words in my rural location just about everyone who's got something) since my place was done, Id build in nothing less than block with preferably BP over the top. then a lockable vault for anything electrical that can be carried.

Honestly my starting point would be to think like a scumbag and work back, convince for you and nice shadow boards are invites for them.

Yes I can't argue with your view of wood and the ease to get through it.

I still prefer wood though for a hobby workshop and my plans for my perfect small workshop which probably will never happen was an attractive wood exterior such as the log cladding, then a layer of 6mm dia bar mild steel mesh, insulation and ply interior lined with of course an alarm...all easily done and not expensive but still a 'my dream shed' thought....perhaps one day.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

In theory yes. In practice all it takes is one neighbour to object on the grounds of "looks" and you will have to modify the design until the planning officer is happy.

How can they object if it's permitted development and you've complied with the rules?

 

[Arc Tourist]

I think given the choice and if I was single I'd buy a Massive Barn or industrial unit out in the middle of nowhere ...and park a caravan or porta- cabin inside to live in ....

Here's a photo, This place served me well for 30+ years. We just sold it back in July, 15,000 square feet with an internal office unit. Now here in the UK, I've been struggling with the planning department to build a one car garage just big enough to accommodate my standard size transporter van with enough room for a wheelchair to go around "one" end; frustrating to say the least.

Overseas the in thing to do now if you have the space, is to position two twenty or forty foot shipping containers parallel together with a work area in between which is covered by a truss roof framework spanning across the containers. Being that they are portable and do not have a permanent foundation, no planning permit is required; don't know if this would be allowed where you are, but may be food for thought.

 

[frank horton]

the main objective in our house hunting is 3phase electric's in or a nearby elec/pole and enough room for a 200sq/m workshop..........everything else is not that important.......
yes, I have a wife in a million........
but it won't be in the UK........

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

the main objective in our house hunting is 3phase electric's in or a nearby elec/pole and enough room for a 200sq/m workshop..........everything else is not that important.......
yes, I have a wife in a million........
but it won't be in the UK........

Place I'm working at is having his 3p supply removed and underground feed installed.
Even if I didn't have machines I could run on it I'd keep it for ev charging.

 

[8ob]

Whatever you buy and no matter how big it is I can guarantee it will be stuffed to the roof before you die, if its not your not trying hard enough

Bob

 

[gaz1]

Thats a big bonus. I'm in the process of fitting a stove in my workshop at the moment. Hoping to cut down on my winter heating bills!

FITTED one and been enjoying it ad well

 

[addjunkie]

My search criteria was 3 beds, and space for two double garages.

Now have shed equivelant if a quadruple garage, split into 3, domestic farmy crsp and the quad, clean area, and dirty area.
Also have 80 by 20 of barns, would have made a fab worshop, or part of it would. But Im currently converting it, to two holiday cottages, and a hay store.

Look at small holdings, then get planning for a farm building. Just build it in insulated sheet.

 

[Screwdriver]

How can they object if it's permitted development and you've complied with the rules?

It really does depend on the local authority and if there may be any bylaws or specific protections such as a conservation area or even a smoke free zone. I think there is also an entire flow chart of hassle if a neighbour complains and introduces more red tape for you to plow through. The short story is you just don't want the spotlight to fall on you because once the planning department set their beady eyes on you, there is no end to the tiny details you have to account for. Everything from impaired mobility access to environmental impact needs to be checked, signed off and checked again. Jobs for the boys.

Last time I fell foul of a planning objection it took eight years for my "permitted development" to be ratified.
Actually, strike that. Literally the last time the planning department had a go at me (over The Secret Shed™) I said "Hi. It's me again. I think you'll find this is actually a field shelter" They caved in immediately...

 

[Wendelspanswick]

It really does depend on the local authority and if there may be any bylaws or specific protections such as a conservation area or even a smoke free zone. I think there is also an entire flow chart of hassle if a neighbour complains and introduces more red tape for you to plow through. The short story is you just don't want the spotlight to fall on you because once the planning department set their beady eyes on you, there is no end to the tiny details you have to account for. Everything from impaired mobility access to environmental impact needs to be checked, signed off and checked again. Jobs for the boys.

Last time I fell foul of a planning objection it took eight years for my "permitted development" to be ratified.
Actually, strike that. Literally the last time the planning department had a go at me (over The Secret Shed™) I said "Hi. It's me again. I think you'll find this is actually a field shelter" They caved in immediately...

The reason I ask is I built a hobby workshop in the garden of the house we lived in at the time and someone complained to the council, planning enforcement came round threatening this and that but could not quote the actual regulation that I'd contravened.
As far as I was concerned I had complied with all the information set out in the Town and Planning act.
I told them to either serve me with an enforcement notice or to stop harassing me and wasting my time.
I never heard any more about it.

I have since found out that planning enforcement officers tend to have very little knowledge of the actual planning regulations, they are not the same as planning officers and tend to be ex police or miltary and are employed as enforcers.
This was told to me by a planning consultant I use now who is a retired planning officer, a gamekeeper turned poacher!

 

[Screwdriver]

@Wendelspanswick sounds like you dodged that bullet. I wasn't so lucky and they went after me big time. I had to take it all the way to the top, the appeal ended up with a representative from the Secretary of State for Housing iirc. It is quite a story, I should write a book. I like to get it off my chest whenever I lure an unfortunate victim into my shed....

 

[addjunkie]

Not sure what its like where you live but living in a national park permanently permitted tted d v lopment doesnt play, you need planning for virtually everything.

Having said that, I have found them quite helpful providing you tick all their boxes.

But for a small fee you can submit simple proposals and they will come to site, discuss, and give you the nod or guidence before you stump up for a full application.

 

[Seadog]

like to get it off my chest whenever I lure an unfortunate victim into my shed

I can vouch for that

 

[hotponyshoes]

I think given the choice and if I was single I'd buy a Massive Barn or industrial unit out in the middle of nowhere ...and park a caravan or porta- cabin inside to live in ....

I have been seriously tempted by this!!!
I have also seen a couple of pubs, ridiculously cheap for the size of them, one has a skittle alley/function room that would make a lovely workshop.
Not sure if I want to be running a pub (and paying rates on it) though!

I do have a better half to consider, she has done a drive-by viewing on a place that she says 'has a ugly big power pole thing in the garden' so I'm going to have a look at that just in case it happens to be a 3ph line!!
One man's eyesore..

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Not sure if I want to be running a pub (and paying rates on it) though!

I suspect the obvious answer to that would be "No" - why do you think there are so many on the market?

I've seen many people fall for the 'Mine Host' trap where they don't realise just how hard they had to work [not inferring you'd be in that category ] to make it viable. Oddly enough, a rural 'corner shop' type enbusiness

 

[hotponyshoes]

Also, regarding the planning,

I have been granted planning for change of use on a shed before (storage of work stock) and on a tempory summer house (for part-time business use.
Both of these were simple applications and the guy that came out to inspect basically said it was only needed as the proper way to give the neighbours a chance to object and the local authority to collect the fee!

Of the 6-7 properties I have got on my short list at least 4 of these are in a conservation area. I will do a bit more research on this but does anybody know what he rules are for permitted development in conservation areas?

Also, if a wooden shed/structure currently exists what's the rules on replacing it to the same dimensions with a steel frame or block building?