If you have a garage and want to turn it into something else, it is important to check whether or not planning permission is required.
Under UK planning laws, garages are referred to as ‘outbuildings’ alongside greenhouses, garden sheds and other structures commonly situated outside.
Permitted Development
Building a wooden garage on your property can increase the value of your home, provide additional space for parking and storage, and enhance its appearance. However, it’s important to understand the rules around planning permission before starting a project of this nature.
Under planning laws, a timber garage is classed as an outbuilding and will therefore need planning permission depending on its size, height and where you intend to place it. This can affect the design and the cost of your garage construction as different local authorities have differing rules pertaining to outbuildings.
Outbuildings are any structure that does not form part of the main dwelling and is used purely for ancillary purposes to the dwellinghouse itself. This can include log cabins, sheds, greenhouses and garages among other garden buildings.
The size of your wooden garage will depend on the rules that govern outbuildings, but it should not be more than one storey high and shouldn’t have a balcony or raised platform attached to it. It should also not be within 2 metres of the boundary of your house and shouldn’t take up more than 50% of the total area of your property’s land.
Alternatively, you may be able to avoid needing planning permission for your wooden garage if it meets certain guidelines. These guidelines are usually set out by your local council and you should always check them before you start a project.
A single-storey timber garage will usually be allowed to be built without planning permission if it doesn’t take up more than 50% of the land that surrounds your property. It should not have a balcony or raised platform attached to the front and it shouldn’t be more than 2.5 metres tall.
If your garage is more than one storey high, it’ll need planning permission and you should also consider obtaining Listed Building Consent. Having this consent will ensure that the design of your new garage complies with current building regulations and is in keeping with other buildings on your property.
If you’re unsure whether you need planning permission for your new wooden garage, the government has an online tool that can help. It will show you if your project will require permission and also explains when it is required.
Listed Building Consent
A wooden garage can be a wonderful addition to any property, but if you’re planning to build one, it’s important to know whether you need planning permission. The answer depends on many factors, so it’s a good idea to speak to a specialist in this area.
Listed building consent is required for any work that could affect the character or historical interest of a listed building. This includes extensions, alterations and demolitions. It’s important to bear in mind that it is a criminal offence to carry out any of these works without permission, so it’s vital to check with your local authority (LPA) before you begin.
Your LPA will be able to advise you about the process for applying for listed building consent and if it’s needed. You can also find guidance and advice on the Government’s website.
Before applying for listed building consent, your architect will need to submit accurate scale drawings that clearly show the proposed changes. This information should include elevations and detailed sections, where necessary.
Often, more detail is required for listed building consent than for full planning permission applications and a Chartered Architect can help you to provide this. This is especially true when the changes are to historic fabric or buildings with special significance.
It is also useful to consider how a proposed intervention fits in with the character of the building and its surroundings, as well as the overall impact on the site and on the local community. Listed building consent is usually granted when the Planning Authority feels that the proposal will be suitable and appropriate in style, materials and will fit sympathetically to the existing building and its surroundings.
In some cases, a Listed building consent application may be submitted in conjunction with a full planning permission application. This is because the planning authorities need to be satisfied that the proposed development will not adversely affect the special character or historical interest of the listed building and that it will not cause harm to any part of the surrounding environment.
Listed building consent is not always necessary for minor repairs to a listed building, as long as the repair work is carried out to a high standard of workmanship using materials and techniques that match those of the original building. You can also avoid the need for listed building consent when it is possible to demonstrate that the new work will be of equivalent or greater value than the original.
Easements
Easements are a form of property rights that give someone the right to use part of your property for a specific reason. They can be created by public utilities to gain access to your property to update and maintain your electrical, gas, or water systems. However, they can also be created by private companies or neighbors if you own property that they want to build on or use for their own purposes.
Generally, the easement rights will be to ingress and egress over your land and utilities (electric power, telephone, cable television, internet, natural gas, water, wastewater, reclaimed water, and sewer services). You should always get an easement before you purchase or build any structure on a particular piece of property.
Another type of easement is a prescriptive easement. This type of easement is often established when multiple plots of land are sold off from a larger parcel and some lots become landlocked without access to public roads. It’s a legal requirement to disclose this kind of easement when selling your home.
An easement appurtenant is a type of easement where the dominant tenement has an agreement with the servient tenement that allows the latter to benefit from the benefits of the easement. This can be helpful if you have a large parcel of land and want to divide it into smaller sections that will be easier to sell or build on.
If you have a lot of trees on your property, they can cause drainage issues. These can lead to a wet yard and rotted wood. It’s important to flag these early in the planning process so the Cottage team can plan accordingly.
In many cases, you may need to add additional support for the garage slab. This can be done by adding rebar in the trench and using wood molds to add additional strength. This will prevent the foundation from sinking.
For any type of construction, it’s best to have the entire structure inspected for structural stability before a contractor starts work. This includes checking the joists for moisture damage or cracking. It’s especially important to check for rotting or moldy wooden framing close to the foundation, as these can indicate problems with soil erosion and drainage.
Location
If you’re planning a new wooden garage, the location will have to be in line with local building rules. This includes the proximity to your property’s boundary, and whether it’s visible from the road.
The ideal place for a wooden garage is generally at the side of your home, where there’s ample room to build it and provide good connectivity between it and your house. The best way to ensure this is by contacting the experts in wood garages, who will give you all the necessary tips and guidance.
Another thing to consider when deciding the location of a garage is the size and shape of the space available. It should be big enough to accommodate a car, but not so large that it would interfere with the living area of your home or make it difficult to access.
You’ll also need to plan for the entrance of the garage. You’ll need a suitable path that can connect the garage to the front of your house, so you can easily get into it and leave your vehicle.
There are many different types of timber that you can use to construct a wooden garage, including oak and cedar. Cedar is particularly recommended if you are looking to build a high quality wooden garage, as it is very resistant to moisture, rot and decay.
Oak is also a good choice for a wooden garage, as it is strong and heavy and can be found at reasonable prices. It’s also easy to work with and can be shaped into different styles and shapes.
Unlike brick garages, which have a distinct architectural style, timber-clad buildings can blend with the surroundings. This is a great benefit for homeowners who want a natural-looking building.
However, if you have a garden or other landscaping to consider, then it’s advisable to find a spot for your wooden garage that has plenty of shade from trees. This will protect the timber from the harsh sun and increase its life span. It’s also worth bearing in mind that the wood will need to be treated against rot and decay.