Do You Need Planning Permission for a Garage Conversion in the UK?

Asking yourself if you need planning permission for your new garage conversion?

Well, the short answer is that planning permission is usually not needed if you will only be making changes to the inside of your garage. However, some alterations will fall outside of what is referred to as ‘Permitted Development Rights‘.

This guide will run through everything you need to know about garage conversion planning permission in the UK.

We’ll cover:

What counts as a garage conversion
When you need planning permission to convert a garage
Rules around building, extending, or demolishing a garage
How to apply for planning permission if you need it
When to contact your local planning authority for advice

Read on to find out if your garage conversion will need planning permission.

What Counts as a Garage Conversion?

If you’re changing how your garage is used or how it functions, that’s what we call a garage conversion. (Think turning your garage into an office or a workshop)

Most garage conversions aim to retain the existing structure of the garage.

Basically, this means the changes made are within the existing walls, foundations, and roofline of your garage, rather than building something new.

Replacing your garage door with a wall and a window? That’s a conversion. We would also class upgrading the roof as part of a standard garage conversion project.

Changing the footprint of your garage (the layout, how it looks from the outside, the structure, etc.) would also count as a conversion. However, these changes may fall outside of your permitted development allowances and come under a different set of planning regulations – we will cover these later.

Planning Permission Needed for Garage Conversions

You do not usually need planning permission for many of the changes that people want to make during garage conversions. Internal changes that do not make significant alterations to the external structure of your garage normally fall under permitted development rights—a set of rules that mean you can make certain home improvements without getting approval.

There will always be exceptions to the rules, though. Here are some instances where you may need planning permission:

1. Your garage is part of a listed building – you are going to need listed building consent for this
2. You live on a new housing development
3. Your home is in a conservation area or an Area of Outstanding National Beauty
4. Your council has decided to remove some/all permitted devleopment rights with an Article 4 Direction
5. You want to convert your garage into a seperate house or flat

I’m Still Not Sure if I Need Garage Conversion Planning Permission

Still unsure? If these exceptions apply to your property, you should contact your local planning authority for more information.

You may also need to apply for a lawful development certificate if your garage conversion is going to make significant changes. A lawful development certificate helps to confirm that your garage conversion was lawful.

This is something you will need to provide this to future buyers of your property in the future.

Do You Need Planning Permission to Change a Garage Door to a Window?

Garage Door Converted to Window and Side Door

Changing a garage door or adding in a garage window is pretty common, and it’s something you’re not going to need planning permission for. This is, of course, provided that the work is cosmetic and doesn’t involve enlarging the building or making structural changes.

Again, though, consent may be required if your property is a listed building or any of the specially designated areas we mentioned above.

It is best to contact your local planning authority if you’re not sure whether you need planning permission.

Do You Need Planning Permission to Build a Garage?

Like conversions, building a new garage usually comes under the permitted development allowances described on the Gov.UKwebsite. That means you do not usually need planning permission. However, there are some pretty strict criteria to follow:

The maximum height of your garage can’t be higher than 4 metres (if it has a dual-pitched roof.)
Your garage must not take up more than 50% of the total land around the original house.
The new building has to be on your land and cannot cross any boundary lines.
Your new garage has to be used for storage or other incidental purposes. It cannot be used as a separate living space.

The same exemptions to these rules apply as for garage conversions. You will need to get planning permission if:

Your garage is part of a listed building.
Your garage will be on a new housing development.
You live in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or a conservation area.
Your council has removed permitted development rights with an Article 4 Direction.
You want to turn the new garage into a separate house or flat.

As always, if you aren’t sure these rules apply to you, you should contact your local planning authority before proceeding.

Do You Need Planning Permission to Extend a Garage?

You probably won’t need planning permission under current UK planning rules to demolish your garage, especially if it is a standalone garage that is separate from your main house.

Of course, the usual exceptions apply here. (See the sections above.)

Converting a Garage with Asbestos

Many garages built during the 20th century are going to have walls and roofs made from asbestos. Whilst the same planning permission rules apply as non-asbestos garages, we always advise that you speak to a licenced contractor that specialises in asbestos removal. Do not DIY.

All asbestos materials have to be disposed of in a lawful and correctly approved way. This varies from council to council, and a licensed contractor who works with asbestos will know the local rules and regulations.

How to Apply for Planning Permission If You Need It

So, you’ve read this article and decided that you will need planning permission to go ahead with your garage conversion.

To do so, you will need to go to the UK government Planning Portal to submit and manage your application.

Remember that a lawful development certificate can be beneficial, especially if you think you might sell your home sometime in the future. You may also need to get a party wall agreement under the Party Wall Act in some cases – so it is worth looking into that, too.

Summary

The rules and regulations around garage conversions can be tricky to navigate. Our advice will always be to speak with professional contractors and your local authority if you ever have any doubts about the permissions you may need to go ahead with a garage renovation.

Danmarque are specialists in garage refurbishment and conversions. Contact us now for free advice and to get the most out of your garage.