Hello and this is my first of hopefully many posts on this very useful forum.
For the last 5 years my partner and I have been living in a licenced residential park home site in the North West of England.
The park home we purchased is a double and very comfortable for our needs. However, the windows and doors were looking a little tired, and so quite recently we decided to have them replaced with new ones.
We did check with the site owners if permission was needed, or if permission was needed from the local planning authority. But because the new windows were direct replacements with no structural changes needed, permission was not needed. And therefore we proceeded with the upgrade.
However, at the rear of our home there are no windows, which is a shame as the view into the distance is nothing but rolling hills, fields and the odd forest.
We're therefore considering having new windows fitted as additions. But as it turns out we may need planning permission and even building permission from the local council.
If this is true, what do I need to do first? Do I need the help of a surveyor or architect or some professional body that has experience in park home modifications and putting the appropriate documentation together prior to being submitted for approval?
And finally which of the two should be submitted first - planning or building approval?
Sorry for the long winded post, but any help would be greatly appreciated.
It is extremely unlikely that you will need council building regulation.
However, you WILL need permission from the site owner (which "must not be unreasonably withheld"), and you MAY need planning permission from the local council.
Check the terms of the site licence itself, as that will identify any changes/addition which are prohibited (enclosed porches are frequently barred), and what changes/additions need planning permission.
Most councils will not require planning for additional park home windows/doors as long as doors are not directly opposite the door of the next home.
IF planning permission is needed, then try a company such as Prestige Developments (https://www.prestigedevelopments.com/
Not cheap, but many park home owners highly recommend them as experts in their field, and they can quite probably talk you through how to apply for planning permission (if needed).
Might need to be signed off by Building Control with a completion certificate. We had to do that when we had a new door opening made in our kitchen & also when we had a conservatory built - neither of which needed planning consent. The Council would advise.
If it does not need a Building Warrant & certificate of completion, then best to get that in writing, in case it is challenged later eg a letter to the Council confirming that Mr X stated in the meeting of Y date that you did not need planning permission and / or completion certificate, keeping a copy of the letter for future sale.
Caravans (including all statics and park homes) do not come under Building regulations. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-building-regulations-1991-caravans-........
The regulations still apply today.
They DO come under planning regulations, and the site licence will specify what additions/modifications need planning permission (for example, our residential site requires planning permission for garages or shed).
i will start by contacting the park manager for his advice. He did mention during a previous conversation that a site application form has to be completed and submitted to the site owners (Berkeley Parks), but the park manager said that there's every chance it will be approved as there are no modifications being made to the pitch, only my home).
I will then see what they say in terms if additional planning permission from the local council is required as sometimes window fitters for park homes won't do anything until they have the necessary paperwork.