Do you need planning permission for a garage?

Local Authorities require buildings of a certain size and position to be designed to a certain standard, and need a certificate of compliance with local Building Regulations. Failure to get the correct certificate can result in problems selling the property in the future, or in severe cases, result in the building being taken down.

Your local Lidget Compton agent should be able to provide some advice on this. If in doubt, contact your local authority. Their building and planning departments will be able to give you all the advice you need. Most local authorities have comprehensive information on building regulations on their website.

The governments planning portal also contains simplified building regulations guidance for general public use. We recommend this should be your first line of enquiry when looking for building regulation information. Please note that the planning portal only covers building regulations in England & Wales. Residents in Scotland should contact their local authority directly.

WHY DO WE NEED BUILDING REGULATIONS?

Building Regulations have a number of purposes. Firstly they set out the minimum standards of design and building work for the construction of domestic, commercial and industrial buildings. They also define what is regarded as ‘building work’ and the procedures for ensuring that it meets the standards laid down.

In essence they exist to ensure the health and safety of people around buildings, but they also exist for other reasons such as ensuring disabled people have appropriate facilities and access to buildings and even for the conservation of energy.

So if you are unsure whether your building needs building regs, contact your local agent, local authority or contact us direct.

PLANNING PERMISSION FOR GARAGES

The rules regarding Planning Permission are reasonably simple, but the interpretation of them does vary from authority to authority.

In the majority of cases planning permission is not required for a concrete garage as they are classed by law as a temporary structure. You can find details of some of the factors that may trigger a need for planning below. In all cases we recommend checking with your local planning authority first.

Click here to go to the government’s Planning Portal, where you will be able to see what is required.

Please note that the Planning Portal only covers England and Wales. If you are in Scotland you will need to contact your local council for advice.

Your Lidget Compton agent will be able to help you with planning permission issues.

DO I NEED PLANNING PERMISSION TO BUILD A BAR IN MY GARAGE?

Over recent years garage conversions have become increasingly popular. Man-caves and She-sheds are the most common conversions that are undertaken. Whether you want to convert your new garage into a bar or convert an existing garage you would not normally require planning permission to convert your garage into a bar or man cave. However, this is under the proviso that the work done does not alter or increase the overall dimensions of the garage and that the work is all completed internally.

HOW HIGH CAN A GARAGE BE WITHOUT PLANNING PERMISSION?

Generally any new garage will need to be under 2.5 metres in height in order to avoid the need for planning permission. However, there are other factors that can influence the need for planning so even if the building is lower than this it may still need planning consent, which is why we always recommending checking with your local planning authority first.

DO I NEED PLANNING PERMISSION FOR A DOUBLE GARAGE?

In terms of double garages the usual 2.5 metre ridge height limit would apply, so if the buildings ridge height is over 2.5 metres then planning would be required. The main consideration when looking at a double garage would be the overall area of the building in relation to your property. If the double garage would take up more than half the land around the property then planning permission would be required.

HOW BIG CAN A GARAGE BE WITHOUT PLANNING PERMISSION?

In addition to regulations stipulating height limits on garages without planning permission, there are also stipulations regarding the size of the building. The regulations state that planning should not be required if the building takes up less than half the land around the property (assuming all other criteria are met).

 

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