Will I need Planning Permission for a Garage Conversion?

The housing market has quietened a lot over the last five years and property prices have stagnated. On top of this, the costs and fees associated with moving can also be expensive. This has led to more homeowners looking to stay put and convert their homes for more space.

Like the loft, the garage is redundant. As a result, garage conversions have grown in popularity as a way to create more living space. No longer is a garage for storing cars and instead they seem to be full of tools and old furniture.

There are plenty of benefits to a garage conversion, including the possibility to add substantial value to your home – perfect for the tough housing market. Depending on your garage and what you want to do with the conversion, the work you need to do will vary and cost will be affected by the windows, roof, walls and floor.

Don’t be put off by planning permission rules

There are a number of uses for a garage conversion and some of the more popular include:Garage conversion

  • A lounge or dining room
  • An extra bedroom
  • An extra bathroom
  • An extension to your kitchen
  • A home gym
  • A home office

Despite all the excellent advantages of converting your garage, many don’t move on from the initial thought because of the fear of planning permission fees.

But in actual fact, in many cases planning permission simply isn’t an issue. Before discussing the technical details further it’s important to know that if you live in a listed building or Conservation Area it’s best to gain approval from your local council to avoid unwanted complications later down the line.

However, for the rest of the UK, needing planning permission isn’t necessary. So long as work carried out is internal without changing the look of the exterior, you won’t fall into the bracket of needing planning permission approval.
Garage conversion
If you’re ever in doubt surrounding permitted development rules, make sure to speak to your local planning authority.

At the end of the day, converting your garage is one of the best ways to gain extra space around the home without having to eat into your garden with an extension. With relaxed planning permission and the opportunity to create anything that appeals to you, consider converting your garage today.