I want to demolish my freestanding garage as I would love to have more garden space. Our home is in a Conservation Area. Does this affect my plan in any way?

As your property is in a Conservation Area you will need planning permission to demolish the garage if it has a size if 115 cubic metres or more. This is because the demolition may have an impact on the local environment.

A Conservation Area is an area that has been designated as aesthetically pleasing and therefore should be preserved for the whole community to enjoy. The two crucial words words which are always taken into consideration when considering work in a Conservation Area are 'enhance' and 'preserve'.

If the garage you want to demolish does not add to the aesthetics of the Conservation Area and you are going to create more garden space, then these factors should help your application for permission to remove it. It's also worth noting that you will need planning permission to demolish a gate, fence or wall with a height of two metres - or with a height of more than one metre, if it is next to the highway.

It is key that you approach the conservation officer at your local authority as soon as possible. Your application will be scrutinised to a higher degree than normal, because you are in a Conservation Area and it will be in your favour if you are seen to be doing all you can to avoid falling foul of the Conservation Area designation.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.