Living in a conservation area - would we be able to knock down a horrible 1960s garage?

[fishnet]

We have been toying with buying a house in a conservation area. It isn't listed but dates back to 1840. It has been reduced by a fair amount now and so has apsrked our interest again but we would definitely want to knock down the horrible 1960s garage stuck on the front of the house and use the old coach house as a garage. Would the local authority prevent us from doing this given that its a conservation area?

?? why don't you give the local authority a quick ring..

You would need planning permission I imagine, but likely you would get it as long as all the other houses on the street don't have similar horrible garages. I'd suggest contacting the planning department of the local authority and asking them what they thought, before you put in an offer. They will probably have written public guidelines on what is likely to be allowed.

i would say it's ok...but always best to check

Quite possibly.

Ring the local planning dept and ask their opinion. Of course, nothing is 100% until you have it written and signed with a planning application but they should give you a good idea.

You need to check for asbestos before you do anything. It was a common material in the 50s/60s so be careful. Get the experts out to have a look at it first.

Ah presumably though if it is made of asbestos it will increase our chances of being able to remove it?

Will call the planners. We wouldn't want the house if we couldn't remove the garage since it is literally stick onto the front of the house and is the first thing you see when you go through the gates.

I suspect the problem will be that if the garage is removed it makes the conservatory visible which could be a problem.

going to call them now

You need to get rid of it if it is made of asbestos but you have to get the experts in so it could be an insurance job or expensive.

Planners said to send in drawings and written details and they will give us an indication of whether planning is liekly to be granted.

Now I need to find time to draw up plans!

Don't do anything until you've had the garage checked for asbestos.