Planning Permission for Garage Conversions in Brighton & Hove

Understand the rules, avoid refusals and secure approval first time.

Does Your Garage Need Full Planning Permission?

Most single garages in Brighton & Hove convert under Permitted Development (PD) because the work stays inside the existing footprint. You’ll move from PD to a formal application if any of these apply:

  • The garage faces a public road within a conservation area and you’ll change the façade.

  • The building (or an attached structure) is listed.

  • You plan to enlarge the garage or raise its roofline.

  • An Article 4 Direction has removed PD rights on your street.

Even when PD applies, submit a Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) so lenders and future buyers are satisfied the work is legal.

Building-Regulations Essentials

Every conversion must pass Building Control. Inspectors focus on:

  • Structural stability after removing the garage door and installing a beam or goalpost frame.

  • Minimum U-values for walls, roof and floor.

  • Fire separation between the new room and any integral kitchen or stairwell.

  • Safe electrics (Part P) and correct drainage if you add a bathroom.

A room-by-room compliance checklist appears in Building Regs Checklist for Brighton Garage Conversions (COMING SOON!).

Fast-Track Route to a Lawful Development Certificate

  1. Complete BHCC Form 191 via the Planning Portal.

  2. Attach location and block plans, plus simple existing/proposed elevations.

  3. Add a statement confirming no increase in height or footprint and materials that match the house.

  4. Pay the £103 fee (2025).

  5. Expect your certificate within eight weeks.

Situations Requiring a Householder Planning Application

  • Changing a street-facing façade in Brunswick, Clifton Hill, North Laine or Old Town conservation areas.

  • Converting a listed coach house or garage.

  • Removing the only off-street parking space on a property with high on-street parking demand.

A full submission guide lives in Planning Pack for Conservation-Area Garage Conversions (COMING SOON!).

Supporting Documents That Impress Brighton Planners

  • High-resolution photomontage showing the finished façade in context.

  • Materials schedule (brick slips, mortar colour, lintel profile).

  • Moisture and ventilation method statement if walls are bungaroosh.

  • Neighbour support letters—helpful in tight terraces

Typical Timescales and Helpful Tactics

  • Pre-application enquiry (optional) 3-4 weeks

  • Householder decision window 8 weeks statutory (often 10 weeks with a site visit)

  • Listed-building consent or conservation-area committee add 4 weeks

  • Appeals (rare for straight conversions) up to 6 months

Tip: submit Building-Regs drawings with the planning pack so case officers see structural intent early.

Parking and Cycle Requirements

Losing your only off-street bay can trigger refusal under Local Plan CP9. Fixes include:

  • A secure cycle store (Sheffield stands or wall racks) shown on drawings.

  • Transport statement proving low car ownership or proximity to frequent bus routes.

Design Pointers for Conservation Areas

  • Keep the original lintel height to preserve terrace rhythm.

  • Use recessed glazing or a dwarf brick panel to mimic the old door set-back.

  • Finish with lime render or a heritage paint colour from BHCC’s approved palette.

More ideas feature in Conservation-Friendly Garage Conversions (COMING SOON!).

Listed-Building Consent Essentials

  • Retain historic door surrounds; install glazing behind the reveal.

  • Anchor new joists into mortar beds, not brick faces.

  • Finish interiors in lime plaster and vapour-open paints.

Detailed methodology appears in Garage Conversions for Listed Coach Houses (COMING SOON!).

Common Reasons for Refusal—and How to Fix Them

Loss of parking → add cycle storage or prove off-street spaces nearby.
Unsympathetic glazing → break the opening into vertical sashes or inset a brick panel.
Prominent roof lantern → keep rooflights on the rear slope or use flush units.

A longer troubleshooting list sits in Garage Conversion Planning Mistakes (COMING SOON!).

Next Steps

  • Check PD rights with BHCC’s interactive planning map.

  • Book a free Safe Bricks survey—we measure, photograph façades and flag planning risks.

  • Prepare your LDC or householder pack with scaled drawings and context photos.

  • Submit through the Planning Portal and track progress.

Internal Reading

  • Building Regs Checklist for Brighton Garage Conversions (COMING SOON!)

  • Bungaroosh Pitfalls in Garage Conversions (COMING SOON!)

  • Garage Conversion Cost Guide for Brighton Homes (COMING SOON!)

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