Minefield- Business in garage?

[scubadude]

Oh dear God, what have I done?

My business currently occupies a 1000sqft unit on a nearby industrial estate with sizable rent, I have a large double storey 650sqft garage, logic says I should consider re-homing my business at home?
"All" I need is a little shed for the mower and good clean out, put the office in the spare bedroom and hey-presto the rest fits in the garage.

I know it's got to be far more complex, council tax/rates, planning permission etc and have run into a wall of confusion with the local council.

Anyone gone down this route and care to warn me off/give words of advice/wisdom/ridicule?

Thanks

[Simpo Two]

If what you do is quiet and doesn't make a nuisance/have vans/lorries etc, I wonder if you could simply work in your garage without change of PP or anything else?

[mjb1]

What sort of things would you be doing from your garage?

Noisy?
No of employees?
Chemicals/emissions involved?
No of visitors - customers, clients, suppliers, couriers etc?

If it's fairly low key (equipment storage/workshop with few employees and visitors, shouldn't really be any problem).

[scubadude]

Industrial Sewing machines, a bit of cutting out and RF welding, almost no noise and nothing that would be heard outside the garage.

2 part time staff who walk to work, no customers, 2-3 deliveries a week at most but only small stuff not pallets.

No emissions other than weekly council provided wheely bin, all non-toxic (offcuts, thread etc)

[Eric Mc]

I think making use of staff would be a bit problematic as it does highlight that a bona fide business is operating.

[scubadude]

Eric Mc said:

I think making use of staff would be a bit problematic as it does highlight that a bona fide business is operating.

I agree and I only want to run it above board... not interested in playing dirty- just too complicated in the long game IMO. Hence I will only do it legally, with approval and happy neighbors- which is the long painful route I suspect but would rather do it right upfront.

FWIW two of my neighbours appear to have businesses, one is clearly a builder (even has advertising on his house front and back gate) another is a fisherman, always on the drive repairing pots or hammering away at his boat so...

[sgrimshaw]

If the house is mortgaged you would need check the terms of the mortgage as well.

[scubadude]

sgrimshaw said:

If the house is mortgaged you would need check the terms of the mortgage as well.

Yup, thanks was on that one.

Seems to be some disagreement between the mortgage lender, government, council planners and local council as to what constitutes "a house" all there advice centres around working form home, does "home" include a non-attached garage at the end of a garden? I think yes but the powers that be seem to be 50:50... sigh.