Side extension

[DamnAllTheJellyfish]

I am clueless on this so any help/advice would be appreciated.

We have a semi-detached with outbuildings running the full length to the side separated by a garden path, which I would utilise.

I have spent a long time thinking about the best way it could work for us and have a plan in my head.

We have 3 buildings (one large shed, one small, and an outside toilet) which would be become a study, storage and downstairs toilet. Then the length of the garden path would have boot room storage at the front and utility storage and washer/dryer at the back. It's a wide path so still leaves a corridor to front/back garden.

So, I think this would work (in my head) do I need to see an architect to get a plan? Or is the job of an architect to show me different options in which to use the space? (I'm pretty set on my idea tho) so do I just need a builder? Or do they need to follow the architect plan?

Also is planning permission needed? Like I said I'm pretty clueless.

I fear that unless these "sheds" are unusually solidly built, you might well be better off knocking them down and starting again. The amount you'd spend updating a typical "shed" to the standard needed to use it as part of the house, the amount of internal space you'll lose by the time you've added the necessary insulation, and the restrictions using the existing spaces will impose on the layout are all significant disadvantages.

If you're convinced the layout will work, and if the existing outbuildings are solidly built and/or particularly characterful (e.g., they're historic farm buildings or something) then I would consider asking a builder round for a speculative chat about the sorts of works that would be needed to upgrade them. If that didn't put me off, I'd then consider asking a decent architect or architectural designer to come up with some layout ideas.

The sheds would have to stay, they aren't attractive at all but are brick houses and as solid as the house (I hope) but are also attached to next doors so can't go anywhere.

The added insulation does worry me in how much of the space we would lose but does it need be done? Again showing my naivety but as it wouldn't be part of the house as such does it matter (except maybe the study which would be used when my dh works from home) or would it not pass building regs? I'm guessing that it definitely would need planning permission then?

We did have a local conservatory company take a look a few years ago about getting it covered over and they didn't add anything about insulation to the quote so I'm not sure.

Thank you for taking the time to respond.

I'm no expert on building regulations. In my ignorance, I suppose a storage room and a toilet aren't really habitable spaces so might not need to be insulated (would you plan on heating them?). Converting the shed for use as a study seems likely to be the biggest issue, as this is definitely changing the use from an outbuilding/storage area to an indoor, heated, habitable room.

I'm not sure whether planning permission would be needed. It sounds like the actual increase in the area of the buildings on your land would be pretty small, just from covering over the walkway, but on the other hand you would effectively be extending the footprint of your actual house right out to the boundary, and attaching it to the neighbours' house into the bargain....