Planning Permission - Garage conversion (2024)

Planning Permission

Planning permission is not usually required, providing the work is internal and does not involve enlarging the building.

If your intention is to convert a garage into a separate house (regardless of who will occupy it), then planning permission may be required no matter what work is involved. We advise that you discuss such proposals with your Local Planning Authorityto ensure that any work you do is lawful and correctly approved.

Find your local planning authority ^{(https://www.planningportal.co.uk/find-your-local-planning-authority)}

Sometimes permitted development rights have been removed from some properties with regard to garage conversions and therefore you should contact your local planning authority before proceeding, particularly if you live on a new housing development or in a conservation area.

Where work is proposed to a listed building, listed building consent may be required.

Please note: The permitted development allowances described here apply to houses and not to:

• Flats and maisonettes (view our guidance on flats and maisonettes¹)
• Converted houses or houses created through the ‘permitted development’ rights for:
  • ‘Changes of use’ (Schedule 2, Part 3, Classes G; M; MA; N; P; PA and Q) (as detailed in our change of use section²)
  • ‘New Dwellinghouses’ (Schedule 2, Part 20)
• Other buildings
• Areas where there may be a planning condition, Article 4 Direction or other restriction that limits permitted development rights.

Further information

A planning consultant may help with the smooth running of your garage conversion project. To find an accurate consultancy quote, explore Studio Charrette's calculators³.

1. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/flats-and-maisonettes
2. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/change-of-use
3. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/home-improvement/planning-consultancy-calculator