In 2017 and 2018, our clients had obtained planning permission and prior approval for extensions to their house in Thurrock.
As part of the works, they converted the house into two separate flats, a one bedroom unit and a three bedroom unit. They moved into one of the flats and rented the other one out.
They applied for retrospective planning permission for the conversion in 2019, but this application was refused. The council did not take any planning enforcement action, however, and our clients continued living in one of the flats and renting the other one out.
They approached us to help them obtain a lawful development certificate (also known as a certificate of lawfulness) under the four year rule.
Section 171B(2) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 sets out a time limit of four years within which enforcement action may be taken against the unauthorised change of use of land or a building to create one or more new dwellings.
Because the clients had create the new dwellings (without planning permission) more than four years ago, the development was now lawful and safe.
We helped them compile the evidence required and submitted it to the council. We were delighted when the certificate was granted.
If you require a lawful development certificate under the 4 year rule, please get in touch!
