Does anyone know…

[MixedUp7]

Evening

Does anyone know whether we would need planning permission or anything else to convert a garage door into a bay window?

We want it to match the opposite side and our current “other side” window is a bay window with no underneath therefore it doesn’t increase the footings of the property (pic below for reference)

If that is the case then we will just go for a flat window to avoid delays however would like them to be the same either side!

I think yes, you'd need planning permission unless there are already windows in your garage door. Not to mention the conversion from garage to living space (assuming this is what you're doing) it would need building regs approval.

AFAIK if you want to put windows anywhere where they aren't already you need planning permission.

Ah really?

Google says we wouldn’t need planning permission. Just unsure re the bay window…

Its not a bay window by the way, its a bow window.

You need building regs only

Thank you!!

Do you happen to know whether we could put a bow window in place of a garage door without having to apply for any permissions etc?

Thank you!

is this something we apply for through the council? Is it costly/ a long process do you know?

Yes, you will. You are adding a window (whether it's a bow, bay or flat) to an area that doesn't have an existing window.

That's planning permission for the window, building regs approval for the internal alterations.

We have recently had a garage conversion and it isn't the same design but I am sure that when I looked up specs as long as the window was where the origional garage door was it is fine. However I can't remember any wording about bay windows etc.

We didn't need planning permission but ours was a partial conversion (the house still looks the same from the front- we converted the rear portion of a double integrated garage)

Not true , I had a garage conversation done and the garage door replaced by a window I didn’t need planning permission.

Every council has a number you can call for advice regarding planning just to be 100.% sure
Buildings regs provided by the council are very slow when you call them I always went for private companies they come to inspect next day after you call them.The price depends on how many visits they must do, on a garage conversion 2-3 visits max in the South you’re looking at around £500 for the whole process.

Exactly what we needed to know!

Thanks very much

When we did ours we emailed our council planning team with pictures of what we wanted to put in and they replied and said building regs only because we were creating an entrance hall. I think planning applies if you are creating bedrooms in the space.

Us neither

Converting a garage into a room (as long as it is not separate accommodation like an annexe) is usually possible under permitted development. Permitted development also covers changing a garage door into a window, as long as it is in keeping with the rest of the house.
New bay windows actually require planning permission as they are actually an extension on the front elevation. A bow window should be fine though.
Yes, you will need building regs, contact your building control department separately to the planning department.
Check that your permitted development rights are intact first. Your planning department can tell you this, there may be a form online or a small fee to pay to check this.
If you believe that the works you are doing are indeed permitted development, you could apply for a certificate of lawfulness, which is a legal confirmation that the works are PD and no enforcement action will follow. Very useful when selling in the future.

Give them a call as different areas can have different policies/art 4 directions removing certain Permitted development rights.

we did for an outbuilding and they were very helpful and confirmed via email so we had it in writing. (Outbuilding not garage conversion) we still needed building regs and I suspect you will too!

It may be that if you have a window put in by a fensa-registered fitter that will cover building control for putting the window in.

In a dwelling house with no other restrictions to PD rights, you can usually add a window where there was a garage door (or elsewhere in fact) under permitted development, provided that it is similar in appearance to the other existing windows in the building.
Bay windows on the front elevation are an exception as they are considered an extension.

1. Check if your permitted development rights are intact, and understand what any restrictions mean to you. Contact the planning department to help you to do this.
2. If you believe that a project is permitted development, get it in writing, prevent possible enforcement action and help future conveyancers by applying for a certificate of lawfulness for the works.
3. Ask your local planning department for pre-application advice if you are unsure, nobody on Mumsnet knows your address so cannot provide you with personalised advice. (And most of the advice on here is wrong).

I work in planning, not building control so can’t advise on building regs other than give them a call.