Planning permission
Do you need permission? A quick telephone call to your local authority planning department will sort that. Even if you are pretty sure you do not call the planners to check. Talk to your neighbours building work is likely to be disruptive so get them onside before you start.
You need plans to get planning permissions - get them done by a professional. Money well sent.
Conservation area consent
I quote from some very useful notes prepared by the Victorian Society which you can view at http://www.victoriansociety.org.uk/adv4.html
In practical terms, what does conservation area status mean?
In all conservation areas, special planning permission (conservation area consent) is required for the following alterations:
- the complete or substantial demolition of an unlisted building or structure. In general, consent will not be granted for the demolition of buildings that make a positive contribution to the character or appearance of a conservation area
- any alteration or addition to the roof of any property in a conservation area
- rear or side extensions to single family dwelling houses which exceed 50 cubic metres or 10% of the original volume of the property (whichever is the greater)
- the cladding of any part of the exterior of a building with stone, artificial stone, timber, plastic or tiles
- the erection of any building (e.g. shed, summer house) or enclosure (e.g. swimming pools) within the curtilage of a house, which exceeds 10 cubic metres in volume.
Security
Try to think like a burglar. How would you get in. Laminated glass is expensive but is very much more difficult to break than normal glass.
Consider having an alarm fitted and linking it into the house system if you have one. Very useful if your garage is not attached your house.
Size
What ever anybody tells you size does matter.
Project Planning
It will take longer to build than planned.
Brickwork
My garage brickwork was done by Tony Wright mobile 07845 678627 or by email anton789e@yahoo.co.uk
Budget
It will cost more than you the figure you first thought of.
