planning application for a garage

Eddwilsaj

One friend of mine has started using programs such as google sketch up to draw up the garage that he is building

bosseyed

PasseySam wrote: »

I guess that gets to the basis of my question - do we need an architect if we already know what the design will look like to fit in with the existing house etc? I wasn't sure whether an architect would be mainly involved in the design side and someone else would be involved in working out the details for building regs etc or whether an architect would do both?

At any rate I think we'll check with the council once we've moved in and measured the space properly etc to work out what we'd like to do. I think the foundations and ground should be OK so hopefully no structural engineer needed, and the house does not share boundaries with another property so I don't think the party wall act would be a problem. How would we find out if there are sewers under that part of the garden? We have the drainage search from our conveyancing which shows the main sewers in the street, but how can we check whether there are connecting sewers that might cause a problem when we build?

Thanks very much for the advice and opinions everyone! With building regs and planning permission and so many things to consider it seems to be a bit of a minefield when trying to see exactly what we need to do to get started, so advice is very much appreciated. :-)

You don't need an architect - not sure why the other bloke seems to have a chip on his shoulder about it, but for something as simple as a garage its hardly worth bothering with the cost of an architect.

As others have said, from a planning point of view, they're generally only interested in the visual/size side of things and how it will impact on the property and the area. So in terms of providing plans to planning (if you even need planning permission) they really don't have to be anything complex at all - looking at the existing house you can essentially have the new garage looking as similar as possible, ie rendered elevations, sloping tile roof, whatever. Ideally just an OS location plan showing the house in the neighbourhood with the area affected by the work marked on and a plan view of the new garage and the elevations drawn to a correct scale - all the requirements will be on your local council website, or the planning officer will be able to give you some idea of what they require - but honestly, supplying drawings and details to planning is a really simple process.

Again, as others have said building regs etc you can submit a building notice with no need for plans. If you want to go the full plans approval route by an approved inspector by all means go for it - it can bring peace of mind to have it the work independantly inspected and issued a compliance certificate. For a garage its pretty much only likely to be as technical as the type of construction, the type and depth of foundation, the energy efficiency of any windows etc and any detail where it affixes to the existing property.

So its not as hard as it first sounds, just a series of steps that all lead into one another.

Good luck!