Extending a garage?
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm looking to buy a house and have just had a first viewing of a place. To set the layout: it's a semi detached house with a shared driveway, leading up to the garage. I've checked the dimensions and while the width is fine, the garage (not attached to the house and connected to the garden) is not long enough for the car.
I really like the house, do I need planning permission to extende the garage? And can anyone give me an idea of cost?
Thanks in advance
I'm looking to buy a house and have just had a first viewing of a place. To set the layout: it's a semi detached house with a shared driveway, leading up to the garage. I've checked the dimensions and while the width is fine, the garage (not attached to the house and connected to the garden) is not long enough for the car.
I really like the house, do I need planning permission to extende the garage? And can anyone give me an idea of cost?
Thanks in advance
but a shared drive will be the biggest mistake you ever make with a house purchase , you will only make the mistake once though .Lasitha said:
What's wrong with a shared drive? This is my first house so would rather not make a mistake if there is one to makeî—
The drive was fully clear and used by the neighbour. I will only use the drive when taking the car out the garage.
Well, most people are a**holes. That means the shared driveway will become a battleground... The drive was fully clear and used by the neighbour. I will only use the drive when taking the car out the garage.
That is what people are warning you about... It basically only needs the neighbour to be a bit of a di***ead, park their car awkwardly etc and all hell can break loose. They might have friends pop round and leave their car in the way, they might leave their bins there etc.
I had a shared access driveway with a neighbour and we were both more than reasonable, never had a single problem with them in 2 years living there. But I am willing to bet that the majority of owners of shared driveways do not have a harmonious existence....
I am currently in the process of moving because I am so utterly sick of having a shared drive. It is a constant and ongoing nightmare - you never know when you will be able to get your car in or out of your own garage and have sometimes been blocked in for days on end. Heed the warnings and look elsewhere!
Tanguero said:
I am currently in the process of moving because I am so utterly sick of having a shared drive. It is a constant and ongoing nightmare - you never know when you will be able to get your car in or out of your own garage and have sometimes been blocked in for days on end. Heed the warnings and look elsewhere!
Blocked in for days????!!!!! You need to man up and tell them they cant block you in like that
Or buy one of these?!!
There is a 1930's semi near me that has an integral garage, presumably built to accomodate a significantly smaller car than a modern saloon.
The owners solution, take the doors off, build an 18" timber extension to the front of the garage, and refit the doors. Straight on it all looks pretty normal, but at an angle, it just looks weird, like some sort of Salvador Dali or MC Esher inspired painting.
The owners solution, take the doors off, build an 18" timber extension to the front of the garage, and refit the doors. Straight on it all looks pretty normal, but at an angle, it just looks weird, like some sort of Salvador Dali or MC Esher inspired painting.
shimmey69 said:
Blocked in for days????!!!!!
You need to man up and tell them they cant block you in like that
Or buy one of these?!!
Unfortunately its not just a case of manning up, when some c**t stick their car across your access at quarter past sparrowfart in the morning then goes away for a long weekend... It got moved and believe me they got told however with some people it makes no difference. Shared access is a total nightmare.You need to man up and tell them they cant block you in like that
Or buy one of these?!!
^What they all said.
And just to add, a shared drive may work fine with today's neighbours, but people sell and rent out their houses. And then all bets are off.
On the original question, you may be able to use the recently-relaxed Permitted Development Rights to alter the garage without requiring permission. But it does depend on proximity to boundary, height, area of garden covered by this and other out-buildings, conservation(etc) area. The Planning Portal has some guidance, see here: http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/house
And just to add, a shared drive may work fine with today's neighbours, but people sell and rent out their houses. And then all bets are off.
On the original question, you may be able to use the recently-relaxed Permitted Development Rights to alter the garage without requiring permission. But it does depend on proximity to boundary, height, area of garden covered by this and other out-buildings, conservation(etc) area. The Planning Portal has some guidance, see here: http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/house
philmots said:
Is it a proper shared access drive or is there 2 drives that run alongside each other with a boundary between and your garage at the end of your side of the drive?
If it's the latter then you'll be fine.
Unfortunately it's the former. I get the point, I'll start looking for somewhere else. North West London doesn't seem to be experiencing a housing market slump everyone is talking about If it's the latter then you'll be fine.
Lasitha said:
Unfortunately it's the former. I get the point, I'll start looking for somewhere else. North West London doesn't seem to be experiencing a housing market slump everyone is talking about
I moved into Stanmore in 2000, and there were a LOT of shared drives thereabouts. I held out for an own drive and got one eventually.My partner of the time (we weren't living together) thought I was crazy for rejecting otherwise nice houses. But it is about priorities. I had an MX5 I wanted in the garage, and being able to get at it was an absolute requirement to me.
Good luck (especially with getting estate agents to understand "own drive only")
Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff