Permitted Development: Turning Car Ports into a Garage?

WillS_2

Hi,

Is there anyone out there with some planning permission/permitted development knowledge who could answer the following? I'm not looking for legally binding advice, just a general indication 

I'm looking at buying a house that is a little bit of a project. There are lots of interior things to sort out, which are no major problem, but one external issue that concerns me with regards to planning permission. The house has no usable garage but until recently had two car ports, side-by-side, both constructed forward of the front elevation of the house. These were knocked down last year as they were getting a bit manky and the owners were intending to replace them. The project halted after they'd laid the base for the new car ports. The area covered by the old car ports can clearly be seen on the local authority plan.

As far as I'm aware, carports and garages are both considered as "outbuildings" and subject to the same planning permission rules so, would I need planning permission to complete them as a single large garage instead of two side-by-side car ports? And, given that the car ports were a little small, would I be in trouble if I made the garage a metre deeper than the car ports it replaces?

Thanks
Will.

Ozzuk

If you are basing your decision to buy on this then I'd get proper advice - check with the local planning.  I have heard that councils do not like any construction infront of the building line so may be a non-starter.

bucksbloke

You need to check local planning regulations. Where we live there are really strict rules about parking. A 3 bed house needs to have at least two on plot parking spaces. If you have a car port then the space in the car port is included. If you have a garage you have to have two on plot spaces in front of the garage - as the council believes garages are either used for storage or habitable space.