Do I Need Planning Permission For Prefab Garage?

Homeowners are likely to make changes to their property depending on the evolving needs of the residents. Through this blog post, we aim to learn whether a homeowner who plans to install a prefabricated garage in their house will need to seek approval from Planning Permission. In addition to this, we will also discuss other structural changes to homes and instances where the approval of the Plannign Permission will need to be sought. In the end, we will discuss the concepts of Building Regulations and Permitted Development.

Do I Need Planning Permission For Prefab Garage?

No, you don’t need Planning Permission for installing a prefabricated garage in your house as long as the garage does not occupy more than half of the land around the property. The reason for this permission is that a garage falls under Permitted Development.

Residents need to make sure that when a garage is being installed or constructed in their house, the following conditions are met by them:

garages and outbuildings can only be one storey high with a maximum height of 4m
the garage that is built can be no larger than 50% of the building’s original blueprint
there can be no raised boundaries, including balconies

However, you will need Building Regulations, in this case, to make sure that your property is not only safe and hazard-free but also improves the overall living standard for you and your surroundings.

You or your builder should contact the Building Regulations department prior to the commencement of any work on your property. A building control inspector may visit your property at various intervals of the construction/remodelling process to assure that all standards and procedures are being met.

Key areas that you will be required to comply with include the following:

fire safety
ventilation
thermal performance
Acoustics

The same rule applies in the case of a garage conversion. Since a garage conversion can increase the value of your property up to 20 per cent, there may be cases where the valuation bands elevate, costing the new owners/tenants a higher council tax bill; should you decide to sell your house in the future.

While garage conversions do increase the market value of one’s property but this revaluation only comes into effect once the property is put up for sale and the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) assesses the market value of the premises and assigns a council tax band to it.

Do I Need Planning Permission For Extension?

If you follow the Permitted Development guidelines, you do not need Planning Permission for an extension to your house. However, in case there is major work to be done at the front of the house, next to a road or a boundary, Planning Permission will be required.

In case of any of the following changes to your property due to the extension, Planning Permission will be required:

More than 50 per cent of the land around the main house is going to be covered.
The extension is going to be located at the front of the house or on a side with an adjacent highway.
The materials to be used in the extension are not the same as the main house.
The height of the extension will be higher than the highest point on the roof of the main house.
The height of the eaves and ridges will be higher than those of the main house.
There is going to be an addition of raised platforms, balconies or verandahs.

Do I Need Planning Permission For Loft Conversion?

Internal work on your property such as loft conversion, garage conversion, new staircases, bathrooms, kitchens or rewiring does not require planning permission as such work is considered under permitted development.

However, if you live in a leasehold flat, you may not be able to proceed with loft conversion without taking all legislative rights from the freeholder. They may also ask to oversee the structural designs and plan prior to anything restructured.

The next step would be to take the approval of Building Regulations to assure that minimum standards for design and structure are being met during the restructuring process.

Do I Need Planning Permission For A Conservatory?

According to Planning Permission terms, conservatories are included in permitted development; which means that a separate approval is not required at the time of construction as long as the following terms are met:

A conservatory cannot be bigger than 50 per cent of the area surrounding the main house.
In the case of a detached house, the conservatory can extend backward (from the rear wall of the main house) to a maximum of eight metres and in the case of semi-detached houses the limit is six metres.
A conservatory built in the rear of the house cannot be higher than 4 metres.

However, in case of the following events, Planning Permission will be needed by the resident(s) prior to the building of the conservatory:

More than 50 per cent of the surrounding area of the main house is going to be covered by the conservatory.
The conservatory is going to be built either on the front of the main house or on a road-facing side.
The resident lives in a designated area or in a listed building.
The height of the conservatory is going to be higher than the highest point on the roof of the main house.

Do I Need Planning Permission For Dropped Kerb?

Whether or not you need Planning Permission for a dropped kerb depends on the type of road that your house is adjacent to.

You will not need Planning Permission in case the road is listed as unclassified, it is a private road or a private street. However, in the case of either of the following situations, you will need Planning Permission for a dropped kerb:

the road is listed as A, B or C
the road is a trunk road or a principal road
the building is a listed one
the property is in a conservation area
the property is a flat or a maisonette
the property is a commercial or industrial building

If you are building a new house and you have full planning consent from your planning authority, you will need to seek permission for a dropped kerb separately.

You will also need permission from your local council office and highway authority.

What Is Included In Permitted Development?

The scope of Permitted Development runs across varied projects that may be related to the internal or external structure of a property. Home improvement projects under Permitted Development include the following:

building of a small rear extension
construction of a porch
changes of use including loft, garage or basement conversions
knocking down internal walls
installation of solar panels
installation of satellite dishes
addtition of rooflights or dormer windows

What Are Building Regulations?

These are some basic standards for the design and structural changes that are to occur and are essential to be met during the construction, conversion or refurbishment of properties. Building Regulations have been set to assure that the health and safety of the residents will not be compromised in any way as a result of the said modifications to the property.

These include the following:

Structural changes such as house extensions or conversions should not affect a load-bearing wall, beam or chimney breast or which will make access to property difficult.
There should be no electrical safety concerns due to the addition of fuse boxes or plugs, or a change of electrics that causes new electrical wiring.
Installation of heating appliances such as a boiler, radiator or fuel-burning appliance should be managed with extreme caution.
There should be no concern for fire hazards due to construction work and the escape route (of the added/converted section to the premises) must comply with fire safety standards.
Installation of a new bathroom or kitchen should not affect the overall plumbing of the house.
New windows, doors or fixed air-conditioning systems should meet the safety and design standards set by Building Regulations.

Conclusion:

Through this article, we have come to learn that you don’t need Planning Permission for installing a prefabricated garage in your house. However, residents need to make sure that when a garage is being installed or constructed in their house, it is only one storey high with a maximum height of 4m, the garage is no larger than 50% of the building’s original blueprint and that there can be no raised boundaries, including balconies.

FAQs: Do I Need Planning Permission For Prefab Garage?

What’s the biggest garage you can build without planning?

As long as the garage that you are building is of reasonable size, you will not need the approval of Planning Permission to build it. This means that essentially your garage should not be more than 4 meters in height and should not occupy more than half of the garden area of your property.

Do you need planning permission for the sectional garage?

No, you do not need planning permission for a sectional garage as long as the conditions listed in Permitted Development are being followed during its construction. However, if the garage that you are building is going to cover more than half the garden, is not intended for domestic use or is more than 4 metres in height, you will need to seek written approval from Planning Permission.

Does converting a garage devalue a house in the UK?

No, converting your garage does not devalue the house. In fact, it is the other way around. Garage conversions increase the value of your property between 10 to 20 per cent. This will benefit you if you intend to sell your house.

How much value does a garage conversion add to your house in the UK?

Depending on the nature and scope of remodelling done to your converted garage, you can expect the value of your house to increase anywhere between 10 to 20 per cent.

Is it a good idea to convert your garage?

Yes, it is a good idea to convert your garage especially if you need the additional space. Garage conversions are much cheaper than extensions and prove to be highly cost-effective for those looking for an additional room or a home office. Also, they tend to increase the market value of your house due to the increased space.