Detached Garage Conversion

Gibs

We are considering a number of options re converting our detached garage (or part of it) into a living space. We live in a detached house on 3/4 acre in a rural area with frontage (15 m back from the edge of the road with a big hedge in front of the property) onto a secondary road a few miles from town.

we're at the very beginning of the process so I am just trying to get a sense of whether our ideas about it have any chance at all. I would be grateful for any thoughts as to the feasibility of these ideas before we go looking for builders, architects and engineers etc:

1. Option A
We convert our detached, single storey two car garage (which is 3m away from our house to the side of the house and has an internal sq m area of approx 40 sq m) into a living area/granny flat. This would mean we would have to either leave the garage doors as is (with a block wall behind them), or put a door/window where one of the garage doors is amd block up the other one perhaps?

2. Option B
(A much bigger job, but probably our preferred option) - We do option A, but we also connect the house to the garage (they are about 3m apart) and essentially build a "joining" extension between the two buildings, making one big living space out of the whole thing.

I have looked around a bit on line and have asked a few people but noone I know seems to know whether these options are typically allowed under rural planning laws or whether option B would ever be allowed, although a few people have said they don't think option B is likely.

All thoughts on the matter will be greatly appreciated

Mellor

There is no such this as rural vrs urban planning laws. Each council has guidlines and policies, but in general each application is assessed on its merits.

Both options require planning. I'd advise applyinging the conversion with the connection.
They may allow it, or they may ask for the link to be removed

Poor Uncle Tom

Gibs wrote: »

We are considering a number of options re converting our detached garage (or part of it) into a living space. We live in a detached house on 3/4 acre in a rural area with frontage (15 m back from the edge of the road with a big hedge in front of the property) onto a secondary road a few miles from town.

we're at the very beginning of the process so I am just trying to get a sense of whether our ideas about it have any chance at all. I would be grateful for any thoughts as to the feasibility of these ideas before we go looking for builders, architects and engineers etc:

1. Option A
We convert our detached, single storey two car garage (which is 3m away from our house to the side of the house and has an internal sq m area of approx 40 sq m) into a living area/granny flat. This would mean we would have to either leave the garage doors as is (with a block wall behind them), or put a door/window where one of the garage doors is amd block up the other one perhaps?

2. Option B
(A much bigger job, but probably our preferred option) - We do option A, but we also connect the house to the garage (they are about 3m apart) and essentially build a "joining" extension between the two buildings, making one big living space out of the whole thing.

I have looked around a bit on line and have asked a few people but noone I know seems to know whether these options are typically allowed under rural planning laws or whether option B would ever be allowed, although a few people have said they don't think option B is likely.

All thoughts on the matter will be greatly appreciated

Actually Option B would probably be the preferred option in terms of planning. Converting the garage into a granny flat (separate living unit) is not looked favourably on unless there is a connection between that and the main house.

As Mellor said, there is no difference between planning legislation for rural or urban areas and planning permission would be required for both options.

From an actual construction point of view you would need to consider whether the garage is compatible for conversion into living accommodation. Whether there's a radon barrier and sump in the floor, if there is adequate insulation in the floor, walls and roof area, whether the walls are damp proofed. If the garage can be plumbed and wired easily, whether new connections are required or whether the existing systems can be extended. What the floor level is in relation to the house.

It may prove easier to get someone in to design another option for extending the house and keep your garage, after all 3/4 of an acre is a big site.

Gibs

Thanks so much for all the thoughtful responses. It's been extremely helpful !