A new garage can provide secure parking, storage, workshop space and a more practical driveway or garden layout. It may be a simple single garage, a larger double garage, a detached garage in the garden, an attached garage at the side of the house or a replacement for an older structure.

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Planning permission is not always required for a new domestic garage, but the position depends on the location, height, size, roof shape, relationship to boundaries and whether the garage is attached or detached. Planning Portal guidance treats garages as outbuildings where they are within the garden of a house and used for a purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the dwellinghouse. It also makes clear that outbuilding rules do not cover a separate change of use or separate self-contained living accommodation.

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Planning issues can arise where:

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• A new detached garage is proposed

• A new attached garage is being added to the house

• An old garage is being demolished and replaced

• A single garage is being replaced with a larger garage

• The garage is close to a boundary

• The garage is forward of the principal elevation

• The roof height or eaves height may exceed permitted development limits

• The garage covers a large area of the garden or driveway

• The garage is in a conservation area or sensitive location

• The property is listed or within the curtilage of a listed building

• The garage includes a workshop, home gym, office, room above or possible future accommodation

• The council needs drawings to confirm the planning position

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Ask PAS About New Garage Plans and Drawings

 

The plans and drawings are important because the council needs to understand exactly what type of garage is proposed, where it will sit and how it will affect the property, boundaries and neighbouring homes.

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Planning Application Services (PAS) can prepare new garage plans and drawings to help explain the proposal clearly.

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PAS can help show:

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• The existing house and site layout

• The proposed garage position

• The size, footprint and height of the garage

• The distance from boundaries

• Whether the garage is attached or detached

• The proposed roof style

• The relationship to the driveway and access

• The proposed doors, windows and external materials

• The effect on neighbouring properties

• Whether planning permission or a lawful development certificate may be needed

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PAS can prepare plans and drawings for:

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• New detached garages

• New attached garages

• Single garages

• Double garages

• Replacement garages

• Side garages

• Rear garden garages

• Timber garages

• Brick garages

• Flat-roof garages

• Pitched-roof garages

• Garages with workshops

• Garages with storage areas

• Garages linked to driveway changes

• Garages in conservation areas

• Retrospective garage planning applications

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Garage Height, Roof Style and Boundary Position

 

Detached garages may fall within permitted development where all relevant outbuilding limits and conditions are met. Planning Portal guidance says outbuildings and garages must be single storey, with a maximum eaves height of 2.5 metres, a maximum overall height of 4 metres with a dual-pitched roof, or 3 metres for other roof types. Where the garage is within 2 metres of a boundary, the maximum permitted development height is normally 2.5 metres.

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This makes roof style very important. A low flat roof may help keep the garage within height limits, while a pitched roof may look better but needs more care with height, boundary position and overall scale.

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PAS can help prepare drawings that show:

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• Finished garage height

• Eaves height

• Ridge height

• Roof pitch

• Boundary distance

• Ground levels

• Door and window positions

• Materials and external appearance

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This is especially important where the garage is close to a neighbour, close to a boundary, visible from the street or part of a wider driveway or frontage project.

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Attached Garages and Detached Garages

 

Detached garages are often considered under outbuilding rules, but attached garages may be treated differently because they form part of the house or an extension to the house. Government permitted development guidance explains that all relevant permitted development classes and conditions need to be considered together, and that where there is doubt, homeowners can seek advice from the local planning authority or apply for a lawful development certificate.

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This matters where:

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• The garage is joined to the side of the house

• The garage links to an existing extension

• The garage changes the front or side elevation

• The garage roof connects to the main roof

• The project affects the driveway or front garden

• The garage may later be converted to habitable space

• The property has previous planning conditions or restricted permitted development rights

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PAS can help assess whether the proposal is better handled as a planning application, a lawful development certificate or part of a wider householder planning application.

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What a New Garage Planning Package May Include

 

The exact information depends on the garage design and the property, but a typical garage planning package may include:

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• Site location plan

• Block plan

• Existing site layout

• Proposed garage layout

• Existing elevations where needed

• Proposed elevations

• Garage floor plan

• Roof plan

• Section drawing where useful

• Boundary and driveway information

• Access and parking layout

• Materials notes

• Photos of the existing property and driveway

• Street scene photos where useful

• Supporting planning notes

• Lawful development certificate support where appropriate

• Planning application submission support

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A clear garage drawing package helps the council understand the design and gives the homeowner a proper record of what has been applied for or confirmed.

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Building Regulations and New Garages

 

Planning permission and Building Regulations are separate. A detached garage may not always need Building Regulations approval, but this depends on size, construction, boundary position and whether it contains sleeping accommodation. Planning Portal guidance says a detached garage under 30 square metres would not normally need Building Regulations approval if it is under 15 square metres, or if it is between 15 and 30 square metres and is either at least 1 metre from a boundary or built substantially of non-combustible materials. A new garage attached to an existing home would normally need Building Regulations approval.

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PAS can help identify where further technical input may be needed for:

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• Foundations

• Walls and roof structure

• Fire separation

• Drainage

• Electrics

• Insulation if future use may change

• Structural openings

• Attached garage construction

• Garage doors and lintels

• Future conversion considerations

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Why Professional Support Helps

 

New garages are often sold as straightforward projects, but planning problems can arise if the position, height, roof style or use is not checked properly.

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Professional support can help you avoid:

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• Assuming a new garage is automatically permitted development

• Building too close to a boundary without checking height limits

• Choosing a roof design that exceeds permitted development limits

• Placing the garage forward of the principal elevation

• Missing conservation area, listed building or Article 4 restrictions

• Submitting weak supplier drawings instead of planning drawings

• Failing to show driveway access or parking clearly

• Confusing a garage with future habitable accommodation

• Ordering a garage before confirming the planning route

• Needing a retrospective application after work starts

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PAS can help prepare the plans, drawings and supporting information so the garage proposal is clear before construction, ordering or fabrication begins.

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Full-Service Support from PAS

 

PAS can provide support from the first planning check through to the application and later technical stages.

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This may include:

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• Initial project review

• New garage plans and drawings

• Detached garage drawings

• Attached garage drawings

• Replacement garage drawings

• Roof-style and height review

• Site and block plans

• Planning application support

• Lawful development certificate support

• Retrospective garage planning support

• Help responding to council queries

• Building Regulations drawings where needed

• Structural design coordination where required

• Party wall advice and services where boundary works may be involved

• Support where the garage forms part of a wider driveway, extension or garden project

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A new garage can be a useful and valuable addition to a property, but the size, height, position, roof style and planning route should be checked before work starts.

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Get expert help with your new garage project

 

Whether you need new garage plans, detached garage drawings, attached garage drawings, a lawful development certificate, a planning application or retrospective planning support, Planning Application Services (PAS) can help you understand what is needed and provide a clear quote for the right level of support.

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Tell us what type of garage you are planning, send any photos, sketches, existing drawings or supplier details you have, and we can advise on the next steps.