New Garages and Outbuildings York

Most garages and outbuildings fall under Permitted Development, known as Class E, provided they meet the following conditions:

There's no fixed maximum floor area under these rules, the limits work through height, position and the overall 50% coverage figure rather than a specific square metreage. On designated land, such as conservation areas, outbuildings to the side of the house are not permitted development, and different rules apply in national parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. We check your specific plot against these rules before quoting, since garden size and existing structures both affect how much room you have left under the 50% limit.

Building regulations approval isn't usually required for a simple, single-storey outbuilding under 15 square metres with no sleeping accommodation. Between 15 and 30 square metres, building regulations may still not apply provided the structure is at least one metre from any boundary or built substantially of non-combustible materials. Above 30 square metres, or where the building includes plumbing, significant electrical installation, or is intended for habitable use, building regulations approval generally does apply. We assess this properly for your specific project rather than assuming either way.

For a traditional garage, brick or block walls rendered or left as facing brick to match the house are the most common choice, since it reads as a natural extension of the main property rather than a separate structure. For a garden office, workshop or garden room, timber frame construction is popular where a faster build and a more contemporary look is wanted, though it needs a good standard of insulation and weatherproofing if it's going to be used year-round rather than just in summer. We'll talk through which approach suits your budget, intended use, and how much you want the new structure to match or contrast with the house.