A couple has entered into war with the council after converting their garage into a two-bedroom home – after being told it is not close enough to the main property.
Steven and Sally Manning, of the town of Costessey, Norfolk, bought their four-bedroom property in June 2018 for £650,000.
They created the ‘self-contained annex’, which lies just 13m away from the house, for their son, daughter-in-law and child, to give them privacy.
Mr Manning then applied for retrospective planning permission from Broadland and South District Council.
But this was refused as the converted building was said to be far enough away from the main house that it was ‘akin to a new dwelling’ – which is not regulation.
Determined not to give in, the couple have now escalated the feud to the national planning inspectorate.
The council, though, still insist the ‘separation distance’ and ‘lack of close interactive relationship’ between the dwellings is too much of an issue.
MailOnline spoke to neighbours near the property, which sits on a quiet gravel lane off a main road on the outskirts of Norwich – and they are deeply divided about it.
A couple has entered into war with the council after converting their garage (centre) into a two-bedroom home – after being told it is not close enough to the main property (right)
Steven and Sally Manning, of the town of Costessey, Norfolk, bought their four-bedroom property in June 2018 for £650,000. Pictured: The ‘annex’ they have built on its grounds
They created the ‘self-contained annex’ (pictured), which lies just 13m away from the house, for their son, daughter-in-law and child, to give them privacy
Some understood, like Chris Aye, 34, a builder working on a house nearby, who said: ‘They should definitely be allowed to keep it in the current climate.
‘If it helps people get their own place, those people who have done that for their boy or girlfriend should be allowed to.
‘I know how hard it was when I first bought a house and I struggled with the cost. It’s impossible for youngsters.
‘They are making it harder for youngsters to get on the housing ladder. I say let them keep it.’
The house, which has a drive with caravans and a workshop on it, is set back from the road, sitting behind a wall with a high hedge and metal gate.
It is nestled between two bungalows where older people live.
The new two-bedroom home is now a picture postcard cottage on the back lawn.
Washing blows on the line in front of it and children’s toys are scattered across the communal garden.
MailOnline spoke to neighbours near the property (pictured, the house, centre right, and the annex, centre left), which sits on a quiet gravel lane off a main road on the outskirts of Norwich – and they are deeply divided about it
The new two-bedroom home (centre) is now a picture postcard cottage on the back lawn
In the retrospective planning application, the Mannings’ developers said the annex was not a separate home because it is part of the whole property.
But council planners disagreed, saying annexes must be ‘designed so that they can continue to be used as part of the main dwelling without creating an independent unit in the future’.
His application was refused on the grounds the annex was ‘akin to a new dwelling outside of the development boundary’.
Appealing this, Mr Manning’s developers told the planning inspectorate: ‘It is acknowledged that the conversion has incorporated some operational development including the re-roofing of the structure to allow some, albeit restricted, first-floor sleeping accommodation.
‘However, the use of the structure to provide annex accommodation to the host dwelling is based on an existing domestic outbuilding, the footprint of which has not been increased.’
But the council still say the annex is too far away from the main house, creating ‘an independent dwelling located outside of the development boundary in an area where due housing would be restricted’.
Neighbour Maryan Kagan, 26, said: ‘As long as it is safe for the people living there, it’s not a problem.
‘I understand there’s all these rules you need to follow but it’s difficult for people to buy or rent a house.
In the retrospective planning application, the Mannings’ developers said the annex (centre) was not a separate home because it is part of the whole property (right)
But council planners disagreed, saying annexes must be ‘designed so that they can continue to be used as part of the main dwelling without creating an independent unit in the future’
‘It costs a lot to buy a house and not everybody can afford to staying living near their families.
‘Norwich is becoming a more expensive city. The average rent here for a little flat is £800 a month. But that’s at the bottom end of the barrel.’
Another neighbour, Dave Seaman, 57, said: ‘With respect to him housing his family, I don’t see that being an issue if it’s not affecting the neighbours.
‘But I know the rules are there for everyone to abide by. You need building control and planning for change of use.
‘I do feel sorry for them. I’d do the same thing for my family.’
But another neighbour, who did not want to give his name, disapproved: ‘You just have to go by the rules.
‘If that’s what the planning rules are, why would you go against that? I have no objection to the council’s decision.
‘I think it comes down to the accommodation.
Another neighbour, Dave Seaman, 57, said: ‘With respect to him housing his family, I don’t see that being an issue if it’s not affecting the neighbours’. Pictured: The annex
But a different neighbour, aged 93, who lives with his wife nearby, said: ‘If it was someone doing it next to me I would make a complaint. The council knows what the rules are’
‘If it’s up to current building regulation standards and it’s got a suitable energy rating and is built in accordance with the requirements it should be deemed permissible.
‘But does it set a precedence for everyone else to turn their garages into accommodation?’
Another neighbour, aged 93, who lives with his wife nearby, said: ‘If it was someone doing it next to me I would make a complaint. The council knows what the rules are.
‘If he’s breaking the rules, it’s fair enough to stop them. The council will enforce the rules.
‘I had to put in for planning permission for an extension and I followed the rules.
‘They shouldn’t get away with it if they haven’t followed the rules. But I’m not sure what the rules are.’
