Property planning issue after many years w/ diagram

[Usernumber1squillion]

Long time poster but the site change messed up my log.in so new name.

The old neighbours who caused some trouble moved out then reported some old property work to planning. Planning have been out today and said that planning needs to be applied for.
There is a carport which is covered by a plastic roof, (this has always been there when they bought the house 25 years ago)
This is in front of the garage which has been fenced off with a door to enter. This is now used as a utility room/shed/ extra storage.It has a tumble dryer extra fridge and freezer out there.
After they moved in they fenced in the carport they use the area as kind of extra seating it also has a radiator in there. It has been like this for the past 24 years. In 2019 they replaced the wood for upvc. Before this was replaced they spoke to the planning department on the phone and were told it would be fine but obviously there is no record of that.

I don't have a copy of what was said at todays inspection but I have emailed the officer to ask for clarification.
But from what I've been told they have to remove the furniture from what is being called a porch by planning and the radiator. They are not to use it as a sitting area anymore. And planning were not happy about the garage being used as it was.

So can anything be done because of the length of time the carport/porch has been used as a seating area

Is this your house, OP? Otherwise I don't think the planning officer will speak to you about your neighbour's home!

Our first house had a carport, there are requirements - the one I remember is that it has to be open on two sides. Carports are considered temporary structures.

Planning breaches have a time limit - currently I think 4 years unless there are other factors in play.

If you have evidence of it being used that long then you are in the clear...

exceptions may apply in conservation areas / with listed buildings / etc.

If you are worried - find a local planning consultant who will draft a letter for you to the planners - when the planners turn up they have no idea if it was done yesterday (in which case you are in breach of planning) or 300 years ago!

Thank you I was thinking the time limit would be on our side.
It's my parents house I deal with everything for them.

So they converted the garage into a room? When exactly? And was the carport/porch previously a driveway? Building on the front of a property may cross the building line so need pp as might a loss of parking amenity. Is it planning that concerns the council or compliance buildings regulations? Retrospective enforcement seems unlikely.

It would be best to seek the advice of a planning consultant as it’s hard to find the right info on the internet

Is the seating area carpeted/floored, and insulated? The roof sealed, with the gap/s from the roof sealed?

I think it’s 4 years without any complaints for a structure without planning, however I understand it to be 10 years for change of use.

From your OP, I thought your neighbours had moved out and reported planning breaches on their own property - if you mean your parents neighbours, that makes more sense!

You can't generally add windows and doors, so if they've boxed in the car port AND added a door that's probably an issue. Did they add a window or door to the garage as well?

They might advise getting a certificate of lawfulness. It saves getting pp I think but regularises the situation.

So some vindictive former neighbours of your parents have reported your parents' unofficial home extension?