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Garage/workshop on front driveway

Joined
18 Feb 2006
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Birmingham
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Hi all

Had a bit of a thought of the bank holiday weekend of building a workshop on the front on the house in the corner of the driveway.

Before I start getting architects or drawings made up, I wanted to know if this was even a viable option. The drive is approx 225sqm in total and looking to build a 6x5 or 6x6 garage/workshop so I can work on my car in the bad weather but also somewhere to store it. I’ve not spoken to neighbour yet as if it’s not even possible, no point starting the conversation but it won’t affect sunlight for them and a good 10 away from any windows

I’ve attached some pictures…not the best I agree of the land and area around it. Is this possible under pd or full planning as it’s on the front principle? Most likely do it in timber as even if I went down the block route, I’d want to clad it.

Thanks in advance

new garage location.pngnew garage location maps.pngnew garage location road.png
 
If you have nice neighbours, just tell them and build it.
From pictures nobody would be affected.
 
does anybody else have a structure like this in their front garden?
Hi

No, unfortunately they don’t. This could be largely due to houses being uphill, most having large drives and the type of people. I have 2 single garages at the moment but they aren’t really big enough to work on the car and with loads of stuff , need to store it somewhere
 
If you have nice neighbours, just tell them and build it.
From pictures nobody would be affected.
I’d love to do that but also don’t want to spend all that money for someone else to moan and have the council on my back.

Do you know what the rules are for this and distance from boundaries?
 
Difficult to say tbh, I wouldn't dismiss it out of hand but I suspect you'd have to submit an application to find out, you can look up your Local Plan and see if there's anything mentioned in there about outbuildings serving domestic property's beyond the front boundary but there probably isn't any reference to it as it's a fairly unusual type of development and they'll likely decide it on a case by case basis. Round here there are some roads where plenty of people have built a garage in the front garden, each local authority will be different.
 
You definitely need planning, but as Freddie says, you might be surprised.
 
Make a car port first, then close one side, then the other and as you go along keep adding covering...
Before long you'll have a garage and a drive through...
But, seriously, if you don't want to risk, get in touch with your LA
 
I'd wait until the next bank holiday and think about something else which has a chance greater than zero
 

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