Do I need planning permission? Turning a detached garage into living space?

[Pash92]

Hi,

We live in a detached house with a garage that attaches to the neighbours house. It’s a very large garage that we don’t need as we have a driveway. It’s just basically a dumping room and utility area at the moment. I am guessing if we did want to convert this we would need planning permission? Would it make the neighbours house price go down if so? I would rather not p*ss off the neighbours if this is the case as they seem really nice so we would just leave it. I’m seeing mixed advice online but like I said don’t want to go down the route of frustrating people if it saves us bother! We are first time owners and have only been in the house 1 year.

Thanks

It’s not a ‘need’ either we do have enough room in our house but as the space isn’t used much considering the size of it it would just be to add more room to the existing house

Yes you do!! Our neighbours have just applied for this for their detached double garage!

Yes I think it does need planning permission and if it’s attached to your neighbours you’d need a third party wall agreement / surveyor.

Why do you think your neighbours wouldn’t like it? Is the garage attached to their garage? Personally if my neighbour did this I would be pleased as it would make it easier for me to do it at a later date (setting a precedent) and also be preferable to you doing a single floor extension that make create bulk / reduce light / be ugly.

Is there enough parking space outside as you wont sell it as having a garage

@stealthninjamum ok thanks! …because our garage is attached to there house so will be on the other side of their living room wall. If it was attached to their garage I wouldn’t mind asking and it will also technically make there house go from detached to semi detached

@FleasInMyKnees yes we have a driveway that fits 2 cars and parking outside the house if need be too.

Usually permitted development is sufficient but the last one I did was over a certain height so had to have planning instead , all will need building regs and change of use

If it changes their house from detached to semi detached that would be the main issue for me and I would object to that

First I would check the planning permission for the house as there maybe a condition attached stating it can only be used for vehicles or domestic storage.

Then have a look at the planning portal as they have good guidance on what does or does not need permission. I’d also check your local council website to see if they provide a ‘do you need permission?’ Service to confirm if permission is needed or not.

Is the garage detached from your house? If not then if you are simple removing the garage door and replying with windows etc the it’s unlikely to need permission (conditions permitting as above). I doubt that you’ll need a party wall agreement either.

If the garage is detached from your house then it still probably won’t need permission (conditions permitting) but this does depend if you are putting a toilet/bathroom and/or kitchen in as this could be viewed as an annex.

Sadly conversions of garages are not clear cut in terms of whether permission is needed or not!

If it is not attached to your house it will be unlikely to qualify under Permitted Development. There are likely to be conditions that it can on,y be ancillary to main dwelling if it were passed. If you do not need the space maybe dry-line it for storage or use as a workshop.

Ah ok I think going from detached to semi would be a problem. I’m quite relaxed about these things - all of my neighbours have had extensions and I’ve never objected - but I would object if my detached house became a semi.

So its not attached to your house, but is to theirs?

Thanks everyone! think it’s going to be too much hassle that we don’t need. @RacketeerRalph it’s attached to our house and theirs it’s directly in the middle of both. The side attached to theirs is basically the other side of their living room wall

Link detached house is the word you're looking for OP.

OP you gave the impression your garage was detached but now, from your latest description it’s attached to your house and your neighbours’ house. Is that correct?

All you can do is talk to your local county council’s planning department to gauge what is needed to develop your garage as living space. They’re the ones who’ll know - it’s their job - instead of random MNs just guessing possible outcomes for you.

Don’t give up on your idea. Call your local planning people and take it from there.

You'll probably need planning permission. As others have said, it depends on the local area.
You'll certainly need (and will have to pay for - you and your neighbours') -Party Wall Agreement .
And almost certainly you'll need Building Regs Approval

@WaspsEverywhere

OP you gave the impression your garage was detached but now, from your latest description it’s attached to your house and your neighbours’ house. Is that correct?

All you can do is talk to your local county council’s planning department to gauge what is needed to develop your garage as living space. They’re the ones who’ll know - it’s their job - instead of random MNs just guessing possible outcomes for you.

Don’t give up on your idea. Call your local planning people and take it from there.

The op clearly says the garage is attached to next door.

IF you are not extending the garage in any way, then PP will only be required if there is a condition on the original permission for the house (if built with the house) or the original permission for the garage (if built after the house, and it need PP itself) that restricts the use of the garage to the parking of vehicles only. Depending on the ages of the buildings, you may be able to see that actual permissions on the local Council website (not County Council - they don't deal with this type of planning).

If there are no restrictive conditions in place, as long as the building is used for purposes ancillary to the residential use of the main house (ie not a separate annexe or dwelling) PP shouldn't be necessary.

I have been looking into this, not a conversion as such, just bricking it up and putting a door/window in itwhere the old door was- it's detached and will still be for storage and a bit of domestic woodwork, etc. But it does seem from reading the regs that that even for that I may at the very least need building regs re a foundation dug for the new wall, as the old foundations across the old door may not be enough. I agree with another poster further up, it's very confusing- national rules and local rules don't seem to be explained on the same basis. We'll just contact the council and ask when it comes to it, which will be a year or two yet, I think.