Permitted development- garage conversion

spdavies

hey all

Looking to convert an attached double garage to be a kids games room. No extensions to walls just bricking up garage door and changing windows/ doors

We will also be changing roof from flat to pitched as per other houses on our street

I’m told it’s permitted development by the builder and tried to apply for legal dev certificate but it’s £395 and I just wanted to check I’m doing it right before I fork out?

Section62

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6659269/permitted-development-garage-conversion

Never take planning advice from a builder unless you know they know what they are talking about, or their advice is to "ask the planning department".

You need to check whether you have the necessary permitted development rights, and also whether there are planning conditions attached to the garage. With a conversion to a pitched roof you also need to be absolutely sure you are within permited development limits for height.

Paying the council to do those checks and give you a piece of paper you can pass on to a future buyer is likely to be good value for money.

Have you got ample space to park off-street if the garage is no longer available? By ample, it means what the council requires for a property of your size. Typically 2 spaces for a 2 or 3-bed house, 3 spaces for a 4-bed house.

Grumpy_chap

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6659269/permitted-development-garage-conversion

Paying £400 for the Certificate of Lawful Development is part of the due diligence to check you are doing it right before you fork out. Probably a false economy not to obtain this in advance.

Who has done the design for the conversion and who will assist you with obtaining Building Regulations approval and Completion Certificate?

Planning / Permitted Development and Building Control are two separate processes. Obtaining one does not confirm the other.

Remember, the Builder's first interest is their own interest securing the project and receiving payment.

grumpy_codger

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6659269/permitted-development-garage-conversion

Looking to convert an attached double garage to be a kids games room. No extensions to walls just bricking up garage door and changing windows/ doors

No CH in the 'games room'?

And do you have enough parking spaces in front of your house? Most councils will want this as converting a garage means losing one potential parking space.

spdavies

yes there’ll be central heating and yes we’ve got a large driveway.

happy to pay the cost for the lawful certificate but wanted to check that I needed to and wasn’t doing something wrong or unnecessary

Thanks

spdavies

also I understand building regs etc are seperate

grumpy_codger

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81920275#Comment_81920275

Yes, sepArate, but you cannot add CH after "just bricking up garage door and changing windows/ doors". The floor, walls and roof/ceiling must be adequately insulated to meet the BR for living space. Similarly, you cannot have CH in a conservatory.

spdavies

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81920325#Comment_81920325

yep fully understand- all discussed with a builder who we trust who’s worked with us before thanks