Is Planning Permission Needed for a New Garage?

While most garages can be built without planning permission, certain factors can change the requirements. Whether or not your new garage project needs planning permission will depend on a wide variety of considerations, and in this article, the team here at Rollerdor will take a closer look at the rules surrounding planning permission for garages.

What is planning permission?

 

Planning permission is the formal approval you need from a local authority to carry out certain building projects or to change how land is used. The purpose of planning permission is to ensure developments are appropriate for their surroundings and do not have a negative impact on neighbours.

 

Even in cases where planning permission is not a requirement, it’s still important that work complies with national building regulations.

Do I need planning permission for a garage?

 

In most cases, planning permission is not needed to build a new garage. This is because it falls under ‘permitted development rights’, which are national building rules that give property owners the right to make minor changes to properties without planning permission.

 

However, there are some cases when planning permission will be needed for a garage. This includes:

• If the garage is more than one storey
• If the garage is more than 4m high
• If it takes up more than 50% of your land’s space
• If your home is in a listed or conservation area
• If the garage is intended for commercial use
• If permitted development rights have been removed by the local authority

 

With this in mind, it’s always worth double-checking whether planning permission is needed for your project, even if it likely won’t be.

Do I need planning permission for a garage conversion? 

 

As well as building a new garage, a garage conversion is another popular choice for homeowners looking for extra space. In most cases, a garage conversion does not require planning permission.

 

However, permission may be needed if the conversion changes the external appearance significantly and if the property is in a protected area. Specifically, if the conversion involves adding a new storey or dramatically increasing the height of the garage, planning permission will likely be required.

Do I need planning permission to extend a garage? 

 

Again, you will probably not need planning permission to extend a garage as this will likely fall under permitted development rights, especially if the extension is minor.

 

You may need planning permission if:

• The extension increases the height of the garage above the allowed limits
• The extension brings the structure closer to a boundary
• The extension significantly alters the appearance of the property.

 

Even if you’re confident that your garage extension does not need planning permission, it’s always worth double-checking, as building without the required permissions can have hugely costly consequences.

 

At Rollerdor, we regularly supply high-quality roller garage doors to customers nationwide. Our products are suitable for both new garages and existing spaces, and can be tailored specifically to your unique requirements. To find out more and to get a free quote, contact our team today.