Garage Conversion - no planning permission required?

rockykabir

We're moving next week and one of our first plans is to convert the garage of the new property into a dining area.

The townhouse property is part of a recent development (well..1989) and all the houses look similar - we were concerned that planning permission would be required as the replacement of the garage door into a Window+Wall may abrupt the pattern?

I briefly spoke to our council's planning representative over the phone. She looked up the house and said that, having looked over the conditions set out by the developer, there doesn't seem to be any restrictions set on converting the garage into an habitable area :cool:

Is this information sufficient enough to go ahead with the conversion? I'm waiting to hear from a few colleagues who may have a bit of experience regarding this, but it'll be nice to hear your thoughts/experiences!

papermoney

We have just bought a property which had a garage conversion, it has PP and Building regs as it was classed as a change of use so it was needed. I'd check again just to be on the safe side.

Addiscomber

I would want it in writing.

rockykabir

A good friend mentioned that if Planning Permission is not required, then a "Certificate of Lawfulness" can be used - this is particularly important for selling the property (which I doubt we'll be doing for years tbh!).

He mentions that it takes 8 weeks to process and according to this page, it seems it is not compulsory(?). I've been told by my father's colleague (who owns a number of properties and has carried out plentiful building work) that building work can begin whilst the Certificate is being processed? Is this true?

Thanks again for your help!

p.s. playing the Devil's Advocate here, but outta interest, what are implications of carrying out work without planning permission? (Not that I want to tread into that territory!)

clutton_2

you will need to comply with building regs - whether you need plannning permission or not.

nelly_2

Ive been involved in a few garage conversions where the garage door stayed there but the room was converted and no permission was asked for

JazzpA

Planning permission will not be required to convert the garage into additional ancillary living accommodation unless there is a condition on the original consent for the house (or any subsequent planning permissions) stating that Permitted Development Rights have been removed. From what you have said, i would suggest that the planning office have checked this and are happy that there arent any. This being the case, you need to write to them so that they can confirm this in writing.

If PD Rights have been removed, you will not need to pay an application fee (usually £135) but will need to submit an application.

The only other thing you should check is that there are no legal covenants on the property restricting development of this type (usually written in by the original developer as a money making scheme!!). E.g. you may have to ask David Wilsons for permission along with an admin fee of £150 or so to do this...check your house deeds.

Building regulations will be required.

beckiem

my partner is a builder he said if your putting windows in and it overlooks any one you have to go for permission he said aswell go to your council apparently they should have an advice centre for you to have a chat.

CB1979_2

nelly wrote: »

Ive been involved in a few garage conversions where the garage door stayed there but the room was converted and no permission was asked for

yup my mate's dad did this bricked it up on the inside to turn it into their office, sold it 10 years later with no problems

ailuro2

the townhhouses across from my sil have garage doors, and they can convert what's behind them without any hassle, but one townhouse owner that put in a window/doors was forced to change it back to a garage door.;)

plane_boy2000

Wedid it and were told that we had changed th garage into a habitable room there for change of use was required.