planning permission

[auntsallyann]

Someone I know has converted an old stone barn/stable on residential land into a garage which he is using for commercial purposes, he never got planning permission for this, he converted this about 4 - 5 years ago. This garage (he builds kit cars and services them) is now causing a nuisance to the neighbour as it is extremley close to his land, he has also now started building a stone wall between his and his neighbours property. A couple of years ago someone from the council tried on numerous occassions to contact his person but could not get hold of him so nothing ever came of it. I have now heard that if x amount of years has passed since this was built he does not have to worry that he does not have planning permission, is this correct thanks

[buildersmate]

There are two answers - one where the answer to x is 4 years, another where the answer is 10 years.
If one constructs a dwelling or commercial premises, the period for which the local authority has to inform the owner of the land he has built illegally is four years.
If one changes the use of existing land from, say, residential dwelling to business use, the period of time after which nothing can be done to prevent the change is ten years.
I suspect in this case, ten years has to pass - I suspect the use has been changed from agricultural to commercial, not a new structure built. Talk to the local council planning department - now.

[auntsallyann]

thanks buildersmate, i will contact the planning dept on mon, would he be made to take this down, like i saidsomeone from the council did try and contact him but gave up and nothing was ever done about it. yes your right it was agricultural and now its commercial, not a new build.