converting a barn without permission

[starvinartist]

I am hoping somebosy may be able to help. I have four small kids and myself and my partner have lost our home. My parents have a barn that was part converted as a workshop with water, toilet, elec and heating over ten years ago. They never got permmission but they have never asked for a certificate of lawfulness either. It would still need a lot of work (roof, windows, partition walls, better heating) but could be converted. Our problem is permssion would not be granted (green belt, monetorium etc) however what could actually be done to move us out if we moved in and did this? after four years is it legal? has anyone else done something similar? The farm is off the beaten track although one neighbour does drive past it. I am a law abiding person(normally!) however its a mother bear instinct...I've lost my job,home....this is a lifeline...my other option is a caravan in their field which I have read a lot of good advice on from this site....four kids makes this a bit harder! Thank you for anyone who has any time to advice me or just time to tell me your experiences. Thanks in advance x

[squarebear]

I was under the impression that if it isn't spotted within 4 or 5 years, it's ok but I'm sure a planner will be able to answer you better.

[dotty.]

you and your other half take the caravan and let the kids sleep in the house with your folks until the local authority get you a council house

[sherrardk]

Hi, the four year rule didn't apply for this bloke as no one had been given the chance to see it http://www.guardian.c...-haystack-demolition. Hope things get sorted out for you soon.

[starvinartist]

thanks all of you....in reply to you all...I'm avoiding telling planning as they will then be looking out for me doing just that possibly! Dotty we are all squashed in the house at the moment but it just is too small. The council housing is a possibility but I dont want to sign on...I really want to find any work and with all my debts just need to try to pay these off.....this just seems a great solution...although risky! thanks for the link to the 'castle' ....it does seem its just getting away with it for 4 yrs....its tempting to try. I'm scared of what they can do legally....can they barge in and rip walls down? prosecute? do we have rights once we are in? Thanks x

[squarebear]

Interesting name on that link. The guy was called Robert FIDLER!

[starvinartist]

brilliant! I guess if thats your name he had to try it! Would you risk it square bear?

[squarebear]

Not for a second, especially if my family were involved.

[sherrardk]

Sorry - did you ad it properly? He didn't get away with it. Can you imagine living with that level of stress onto of looking after your children and paying off your debts? Have you actually lost your house or is it too small for your family?

[craft1948]

My understanding is that yes, they can charge in and tear it down, and then send you the bill for doing so.

[tamborine]

Ring up the Planning Office & get permission first. Else the council will have it down and leave you with a hefty fine.

There is talk of Planning being removed from council offices to Parish officials, either way I cant see you being refused as the Council would benefit by extra rates from a building already in situ.

[squarebear]

Not if it's on a green belt tamborine

[craft1948]

lol tambo are you having a laugh.............the barn is on green belt!!

[starvinartist]

thanks everyone for the help...it helps us make a few desisions....the castle guy was I agree taking a huge risk....the case here is much less disky... its already converted so only internal walls are needed and rewire , insulation etc. We lost our house so this really is just a big temptation as we are squashed in a little house with my parents and brother. My kids are at secondary school and primary and I just need to settle them and give them space. I don't do stress so it wouldn't be too much pressure....I've lost my house and coped so the hiding for 4 yrs I could do I guess....its more the what they can do legally.....I imagine they can't rip down the whole barn as it was already converted? surely they could only take internal walls I put in down? or is this nieve? thanks all x

[tamborine]

its a barn on greenbelt. By definition an agricultural building that has outlived its use.

[craft1948]

Well I'm sure you know best tambo..............

[tamborine]

I dont claim that craft.....but round here barns are being continually converted into homes & lots of new homes on green belt. Depends on population around you.

[NOX]

The worst thing that they could possibly do IF they find out you're living in it is tell you stop living in it. No-one is going to drag you off to prison etc etc, nor will it cost you any money as long as if they ask you to stop it you do, or alternatively apply for retrospective planning permission. Sounds like a plan to me actually, you have potentially everything to gain and nothing to lose.

[starvinartist]

really tamborine...thanks for the advice...I didn't realise you could ever build on green belt? I may investigate that more....it just seems a great shame to have a space that could be used but for planning in the way....the outside of the building wouldn't chnage at all.

[tamborine]

http://www.barnsetc.c...e-Buckinghamshire.htm

I recommend a chat with your council first.

[starvinartist]

thanks nox....it does feel a bit that way....there is a silver lining sometimes isn;t there? I would never had thought of this if it wasn't for losing my home....both myself and partner lost our jobs just after I'd had my youngest.....its been hard. I just dont want to get a criminal record or heavy fines.... if that isn;t a risk then I may give it a try x