Proposed Single Storey Above Second Floor – LB Westminster

It is common for clients to convert shops to restaurants, or to increase the operating hours of the existing shop. A Full Planning application is needed for this. 

The client for this project requested a change of use from A1 to A3. He had an Off License which he wanted to convert to a restaurant.

In addition, the client wanted to add another storey above the second floor to create three residential flats above the restaurant.

This property had potential, as you see from the photo below – it is low, and can be raised. Most commecial property if this nature will have three storeys above the shop.

Currently two units exist. The design of the new floor would be mansard as below:

The Layout of the shop would change, mainly to include a cooking area and serving area with a till. At present a till and counter exists to serve the Off License customers.

In addition, a toilet had to be included to serve the restaurant clients. Normally there are no toilets in an Off License for clients.

The flat above the second floor would be exactly the same as the other two floors. Same size and same floor layout. This simplified the design, and the staircase could therefore easily be accomodated.

The final planning concern was the disposal of waste. This would be carried out by private contractors.

Building Regulations – What Are They? – RB Kensington and Chelsea

Building Regulations mainly have to do with Health and Safety. While Planning, on the other hand, has to do with the environment and how other people will be affected.

I had a client in Kensington who wanted to lower the floor in his basement.

For this he needed building regulations. Since the work needed to be done urgently, we decided on the BUILDING NOTICE route. I explained what this meant:

 

YOU HAVE TO PROVIDE WRITTEN (OR OTHER) NOTICES TO THE ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA:
(PLUS PAY THE APPROPRIATE BUILDING CONTROL FEE FOR YOUR BUILDING NOTICES):

48 hours before commencement
24 hours before excavations covered
24 hours before foundations covered
24 hours before damp proof course covered
24 hours before site concrete covered
24 hours before drains covered
7 days after drains completed
7 days after work completed
and / or
7 days before occupation.

 

These are the requirements. Full plans need to accompany the Building Notice.