Conversion of annex to self-contained dwelling

An appeal has been won against North Hertfordshire District Council allowing conversion of an existing annex to a self-contained dwelling. Ref: APP/X1925/W/18/3213533. Decision date 1 March 2019.

The original application ref 18/01249/FP was refused on 23rd July 2018 on the grounds of effect on the character and appearance of the area resulting from the intensification of the use of the site.

The Inspector disagreed with the Council stating that a suitable living environment could be afforded to both dwellings.

This case shows us that it is possible to site or build a residential annex and later on have it established as an independent dwelling in its own right if the Council cannot prove that there would be appreciable gain in maintaining the extant relationship between the host dwelling and its subservient partner.

This could be of particular use when considering selling off one building independently of the the other, as annex structures cannot truly exist on a separate title deed to the host dwelling.