Are you thinking about converting your garage? Whether or not you’ll need planning permission depends on a few of factors, like the extent of the building works and how you intend to use the space. Let’s break it down.
What will the space be used for?
The use of your converted garage plays a huge role in determining whether planning permission is required. If you’re planning to use the space as fully independent living accommodation—say, for an elderly parent—you’ll normally need to apply for planning permission. The law around this is quite complex, but a general rule is that if the person living in the converted space still uses the main house for daily activities (like cooking and laundry) and has a close relationship with the occupants of the main house, you don’t normally need planning permission.
Internal works
Good news: planning permission isn’t normally required for internal works. But don’t jump ahead just yet—there might be conditions tied to your property’s existing planning permissions that could restrict the conversion. For example, there could be a condition requiring the garage to remain as car parking to ensure enough off-street spaces are available. In cases like this, you’d either need to apply for planning permission or apply to remove the condition (known as a Section 73 application).
External works
Now, if you’re planning any external changes—like adding windows, changing the roof, or anything that affects the appearance of the garage—planning permission will be required. However, you might not need to apply for it. Many external changes are covered under permitted development rights, which grant a blanket planning permission for certain works, so you don’t have to apply to your local council. Unfortunately, not all properties have these rights, so you’ll need to double-check whether yours are in place before moving forward.
Key takeaways
You don’t normally need to apply for planning permission if:
The converted garage isn’t being used as fully independent living accommodation.
There aren’t any restrictive conditions on your property’s existing planning permissions.
Your permitted development rights are intact, and any external works fall within these rights.
Even if you think that planning permission isn’t required, it’s a good idea to make sure that your local planning authority is on the same page before starting work. You can do so by applying for a certificate of lawfulness, which provides peace of mind that everything’s good to go.
Please note, separate requirements apply to listed buildings.
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If you’re still unsure about whether your project needs planning permission, why not take advantage of our Free Consultation service? As council planners turned consultants, we can provide you with tailored, expert advice—no commitment necessary.
The information contained in this article may have become out of date since it was written. Under no circumstances shall the information contained in this article be taken as professional advice.