Is it easy to extend forward over garage?

KaratePigeon

We are interested in buying a house - it ticks a lot of boxes but ideally I'd like something we could extend in a few years.

This house has a double garage attached to the front of the house. It seems to me that it'd be an easy option for adding more space. Is it more difficult to get planning permission since it's at the front of the house rather than the back or side? Are the foundations likely to be suitable or is there no way of knowing?

House is about 30 years old, it hasn't had any extensions. There were only 3 of that style built in the area, none of them have extended over the garage. I asked the vendor whether they'd ever considered it and she just said yes they toyed with the idea, but didn't say anything else.

It's not a deal breaker (there's probably the option of a side extension or loft conversion anyway), but just wondering.

tonyh66

foundations will not be designed for the extra weight of an extension.

Debbie_Savard

Very unlikely the foundations would be laid with that in mind. Also planning is highly unlikely to be granted due to visual impact to the street and objections from neighbours.

chappers

Debbie_Savard wrote: »

. Also planning is highly unlikely to be granted due to visual impact to the street and objections from neighbours.

totally depends on what you wanted to build and the vernacular of the street.
If it's important to you I wouldn't rely on it, though you could maybe get some pre-app advice from the council.
PP on the principal elevation is always trickier.
Neighbours can object all they like, but objections must fall within planning criteria to be valid.

Furts

A 30 year old garage will not have cavity walls so you cannot build upwards. Regulations were different then. Even if a cavity wall was there it will not be to current requirements. The knock on is a narrow wall is likely to be built on narrow foundations unsuitable for building a cavity wall off. This does matter because your proposed floor has to be carried by walls, which are probably not up to the task.

As for planning, as already said it depends on the street scene - there is no hard and fast rule here, with every home considered on its merits.