Garage Conversion and Permission Question

Photogaz

I'm in the thought process stage of getting a garage conversion. I know if I plan to change the front I'll definitely need permission.

My question is really about the chance of getting permission under the circumstances of the garage. The garage is separate from the house with a public access to the rear gardens for the other houses. Will this be a problem with converting and putting a door at the side?

Many thanks in advance.

lincroft1710

What are you converting the garage into? Being separate from the house doesn't seem ideal for extra living accommodation.

Doozergirl

What permission are you talking about?

Do you understand the difference between planning Permission and Building Control? Have you looked at the Planning Portal to see what would be required?

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/responsibilities/planningpermission/permitted

Is the house Listed, in a Conservation Area or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty? If it isn't then you have permitted development rights.

Regardless of whether you need Planning Permission, you may need Building Control Approval. This is to check that the standard of what you build is up to safety and thermal standards. If the garage is completely detached then it could be exempt from both. Beed more information, really about your intentions and layout.

This should probably be in the 'In My Home' board

Photogaz

Thanks for the replies so far. I'm looking to convert it into a cinema room/man cave. While it's detached from the house, it is on our drive. The neighbours garage is next to it.

There is only the main garage door at present. I'll be looking at changing the front to a window and adding a side door. I'll then look at fully converting the inside too.

Doozergirl

If you have a look at the planning portal, unless you're in one of those situations with a listing or in a conservation area, and you haven't had your permitted development rights removed, then it's likely that it won't need planning or building control!

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/commonprojects/outbuildings/

You can run it past your local council to be sure.

G_M

Doozergirl wrote: »

If you have a look at the planning portal, unless you're in one of those situations with a listing or in a conservation area, and you haven't had your permitted development rights removed, then it's likely that it won't need planning or building control!

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/commonprojects/outbuildings/

You can run it past your local council to be sure.

Will need Building Control. It must meet fire, insulation and other modern standards.

Proably won't need Planning, but check your council website or speak to the Planners.

The garage is separate from the house with a public access to the rear gardens for the other houses.

??? The owners of the other houses have access through the garage?!! That might be a problem!

Doozergirl

G_M wrote: »

Will need Building Control. It must meet fire, insulation and other modern standards.

Proably won't need Planning, but check your council website or speak to the Planners.

??? The owners of the other houses have access through the garage?!! That might be a problem!

I thought he said the garage was detached? If it isn't sleeping accommodation and less than 15 sq metres, it is classed as outbuilding, still. Even between 15 and 30 square metres, still possibly no regs to adhere to.

Link was provided!

eddddy

One extra thing to check is whether the original planning permission for your house had a planning condition about not converting the garage.

This might apply if it's a 'newish' house in an area where there is limited on-street/off-street parking.

If such a condition exists, you would need to apply for consent to vary that condition.

vij54702015

I'm pretty sure what matters is if it is habital. Using it as an office, games room or anything like that is ok but if you sleep, bathe and generally live there it becomes a different matter