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

Complete BHCC Form 191 via the Planning Portal.
Attach location and block plans, plus simple existing/proposed elevations.
Add a statement confirming no increase in height or footprint and materials that match the house.
Pay the £103 fee (2025).
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.