May 1, 20242 yr Hi All, Nice to meet you all. I am looking to build a small/skinny house on my driveway. It would be for my kids so they aren't forced to leave London. I am enquiring about purchasing the alleyway to extend the size of the land. I cant see who owns the alley on land registry, but one of the houses says it belongs to them. just wondering if this is even possible. *Is there a minimum size I can build? *Do I need access to the rear down the side? * What height restrictions etc are there? Thanks for your advice in advance.
May 1, 20242 yr Once you allow for footings, rainware overhangs, construction access, wall thickness, you'll end up with a building about 1.5m or so wide. You'll never met building control regs for access etc. E.g. an accessible bathroom will be at least 1m wide and 1.5m long, and then you'll need space for a 900mm wide corridor to access all of the rooms, and then same again for stairs. Park a caravan in your drive. I'd love somebody to prove me wrong?
May 1, 20242 yr You could do a 2 storey side extension, but I don't think there would be enough area for it to be worthwhile. You would also need additional bin / bike store space.
May 1, 20242 yr 38 minutes ago, Tokyorob77 said: ... I am looking to build a small/skinny house on my driveway. It would be for my kids so they aren't forced to leave London. ... You missed a word out ' It would be for my kids bikes so they aren't ...'
May 1, 20242 yr Author The heart icon is a bit strange. Thanks for this. If I tie into the main house? I may try to see if I can purchase some of the garage to the right. MAybe half. Would that work? If there was the width, would it be possible?
May 1, 20242 yr 32 minutes ago, Tokyorob77 said: Example of a house i saw. But isn't that plot hugely wide compared to yours, even if you could buy the passage? (and you would be a very 'captive audience' for that). Edited May 1, 20242 yr by Redbeard
May 1, 20242 yr Even if you worked out the size and garage purchase you may end up devaluing your own house. kids next door in own house also means doubling up all household standing charges. would you still end washing and cleaning for them, leaving home should be a bit further away in my opinion.
May 1, 20242 yr 6 minutes ago, nod said: Come on guys It has to be a windup 😂 It 1st May not April, but a bit bonkers all the same, they will fly the nest anyway - or they ought to, so they grow up.
May 1, 20242 yr Many years ago my brother had a loft conversion done for his teenage daughter who promptly left home shortly after 🤷♂️
May 1, 20242 yr I would go the caravan route or have you got room for a log cabin in the back garden? Edited May 1, 20242 yr by Jilly
May 1, 20242 yr For the cost of the works, the gain, and devaluation if the property, why not just sell up and move further out.
May 1, 20242 yr Author I have thought of the side extension but I have hit the ceiling on what the house is worth. Even if the kids don't live in it, it would be a form of income for them. I may just scrap the idea and buy a small flat to do up but if you don't try these things. If i could buy the garage, it may work. Devaluing the current house is not an issue, next to the piccadilly line so house prices are silly anyway. Anyhoo, thank you for all the comments.
May 1, 20242 yr Doubtful you'd be able to acquire both alley and garage at a sensible cost, and still a risk you wouldn't get planning. If you're looking for other options, maybe ask local estate agents if adding a side extension and splitting the larger property into two maisonettes might work financially. Could be a lot of work for possibly not much reward though. (Negotiating access via the alley might help here for bins etc)
May 2, 20242 yr Author Hi Torre, Totally agree its a risk. With the alley and garage at least it will increase the property enough to cover. Especially as I need to fix the fence anyway. Planning is another matter. Other than bins and bikes, Anyone, do you need to have an alley to the back of a house? If so, what for?
May 2, 20242 yr No need for an alley to the back as per most mid terrace houses. It is handy sometimes though.
May 2, 20242 yr 5 minutes ago, ETC said: https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/skinny-house-architecture Yes, example 3 is the answer - get it accepted as an art installation and skip the building regs...
May 2, 20242 yr Author No 3, LOL, bit too skinny. https://www.housebeautiful.com/uk/lifestyle/property/a40124832/skinny-london-house-for-sale-hackney/
May 2, 20242 yr Author What's my next step? I know a few Architects. Speak to the council. Want to cross off can's & Can'ts and if it won't work, at least I tried.
May 3, 20242 yr 6 hours ago, Tokyorob77 said: What's my next step Find a local planning consultant and let they see what can be done.
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