Garage planning permission...?

[Sparks!]

I'm going to view a house tomorrow.. I was working in the house next door today which is an exact copy of the one I'm looking at... the person I was doing some work for has only just bought it and the same seller has the next door house up for sale too. As I know the layout and potential etc I just need to check its in similar condition to the one I was in today, if so I'll be looking to make an offer.

The house itself needs a fair bit of work but nothing I can't handle, it's not /quite/ the type of house I was after but what draws me to it is that not only does it have rear access but it has double garage space at the back with a proper access road suitable for a car.....

Next door has hardstanding for a car, the other side has a shed and next door but one has a large brick built garage...

I would be looking to go down the full width garden garage size backing onto the access road... garage would be deep enough to fit a car in so a fair size...

Question is, would I need planning permission to build it?? I know if I make it out of wood I wouldn't need permission as timber buildings are seen as "temporary" but it might benefit from being brick built instead...

Anyone know?
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[Devils Advocate]

[Mrs_Hippy]

Hi there

The Permitted Development regulations can be found here (permitted development is what a person can build without having to apply for planning permission):
https://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/uksi_20082362_en_1

An interactive guide can be found here:
https://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/public/

You will need to check if the permitted developments rights for the property have been restricted.

Materials are now relevent (in the new GPDO that came in in October 2008) and dont get fooled by the word 'temporary' it is only classed as temporary if it is actually moved about.

Sorry its breif but am at work and shouldn't be on here so you aint seen me right?
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[PsychoHippy]

Trust her on this one Sparks, she knows what she's talking about. She's been doing if for a living for nearly 10 years!
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[t121anf]

MrsHippy,

Can you help, we want to put a new window at the top of our stairs, it will overlook our garage roof and next doors solid (no windows) side wall (of their extension)

no provided we use opaque glass do we need planning permission?

[Mrs_Hippy]

First of all when the house was built (or the extension if the window is going in to non original part of the house) were any restrictions put on the houses Permitted Development rights? This is usually for newer estates and houses where they are built near to existing houses and means that a condition was placed saying that “no windows or other openings be put in to the North / East, (whatever) elevation without prior approval of the Local Planning Authority”. If next doors wall has no windows then I doubt there is a restriction but you can usually confirm this in writing with your local authority if you are worried.

If not then you don’t need planning permission unless it is in an upper floor of a side elevation (although ‘side elevation’ has never actually been defined). If you are putting it in a side elevation then it doesn’t require requires planning permission if it is:
(i) obscure-glazed, and
(ii) non-opening unless the parts of the window which can be opened are more than 1.7 metres above the floor of the room in which the window is installed

There is also a thingy about any materials used being ‘similar appearance’ to those of the original dwelling house but a mars bar to the first person who can define ‘similar appearance’ so that it is unquestionable.

If you were to put the window in un-obscured and without permission:
1) You need to ask yourself if the neighbour has no windows that side who would complain to the council. (most of us enforcement teams are under manned and only act on complaints received – we don’t tend go looking for work)
2) The council will probably only ask you for a retrospective application anyway (once it has been there 4 years its immune from enforcement)
3) If it would have been granted permission if you had put an application in it would be inexpedient to take enforcement action if you declined to put a retrospective application in, however it may cause you a headache should you sell the house and a solicitor pick up that it was put in without permission – they seem to pick up the most irrelevant things!

The other thing you need to think about is Building Control – windows need a building control application unless they are put in my a FENSA registered company.
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[sebastianw]

What she said.......

Go to the local Planning dept and talk to the duty planning officer, they will advise you and you can avoid giving too much detail (like address).

If you do do anythjing which requires consent without that consent and no action is taken for 5 years (I think) then you have got away with it - no enforcement action is likely to be taken, but it's your risk because when you come to sell you will have to declare it.

Installing a window is a structural alteration and requires Building Regulations regardless of the trade association the installer belongs to.

[Mrs_Hippy]

Sorry my error I forgot by the end of my speel that it was a new window and not a replacement. New windows do need building control.

The window would be immune from enforcement action after 4 years.
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[t121anf]

houses are 1930s, neighbours extenstion is newer, last 10 yrs i'd say if not newer.

its an upper floor on the side.

think i'll still see the planning department

[Mrs_Hippy]

Always best to if you don't want any hassles. Would advise you to write in and get a written answer. If you don't need permission then an written answer can be used as proof to a solicitor.

Yay - off on holiday - no planning enforcement for a fortnight!! Woot!

[Sparks!]

Thanks for the replies, especailly from MrsHippy, most helpful thanks.

Viewed the house today and its about 30k overpriced!!! It'll need gutting new floors ceilings and stud walls, the kitchen/bathroom (ground floor extension) floors would need ripping up and redoing.. full damp course throughout and pretty much all the walls need re-rendering and plastering....

So going to give that one a miss! If I was a full time builder and got it for 30k less than asking it'd be worthwhile, but as it is, no way!

Will keep looking
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[chris-red]

A coloured thingy! What is this heracy?
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