AlexGe

Just a quick update; it's proving harder than I thought to find a planning consultant. Local architects don't seem interested, and a company I messaged has asked for £250 + VAT for an initial 1 hour consultation. I'm gonna try and get more quotes, but it's starting to look like this is gonna be a long and tedious process. If anyone has any recommendations in the area of North Wales or Chester, I'd appreciate it ?

Thanks everyone for your responses and advice, it has been very helpful so far! The architect mate of mine came back with a few suggestions. He's based abroad though, so he doesn't have much insight to offer on getting a permit. I think it is wise to keep at 2m from the boundary to reduce my chances of being rejected, and argue only on the height of the building as required. We're also contemplating moving into my car park, so reducing driveway footprint and increasing garage footprint (at 12m long, 7.5m wide). Those are his drafts/sketches for now. He suggests I can use bricks/breezeblocks to take the loads for a smaller structure, but for such a large opening I would definitely need steel beams to support the roof, as timber would be problematic. He also said what others have said here already, a 150mm to 200mm slab with steel mesh is probably going to be more than enough. The amount of windows he's added really appeals to me, but I suspect it would cost a fortune, so I doubt the finished thing would ever look like this. I'm off to find a planning consultant in Mold, Northrop or surrounding areas who have knowledge of what usually gets approved.

Thank you al, this is really encouraging and well motivating! Out of curiosity, what would the difference be if I was to build it using breeze blocks, cost wise as time-wise I know it takes longer. Yes the foundations would need to be able to take a considerable amount of weight, as a car with ramp is easy more than two tonnes, and a car stacker with cars is more than that. Was that with cladding and roof included or just the frame? I would consider concrete pads if there is a way to secure them together, as there will be some serious loads from multiple cars stacked or ramped up. I suspect concrete foundations alone would cost around £3.5K and that's not including groundworks. Yes I will definitely insulate it, I plan on working from there (sitting on a chair and all)! I was also thinking on underfloor electric heating, as the wife is hell bent on getting solar panels for the house, and because of the loads I'd feel better with wires than pipes. Also what's the deal with getting planning permission for a building that is closer than 2m from the boundary and taller than 4m? Is it doable, or should I just plan to leave 2m from the boundary? Many thanks for all the replies, this is very helpful and motivating!

I made this using an online sketcher, the idea being to show the location and available space. Maybe it helps.

Right side (looking towards North, e.g., the pub car park). You can see the lean-to on the left, shed behind it, and just about the boundary fence to the right. There's a large field behind. Behind the front fence (where the pallet is) I've got another 7.5m to the boundary, but I'd also need some space to maneuver the cars in and out (unless the garage door faces the entrance which is an option).

Left side far (I'm facing south); the property includes the area with the vegetation and trees and extends further than the pallet and fence you can see (another 7.5 meters). The stone building on the right should be left intact. It isn't listed but it is very old and I'd rather not demolish it. Vegetation and trees would be removed. You can just about see the shed behind the trees and the lean-to in the far end.

Hello! Dimensions are: worst case: 7m width, 8m length, 5m height (ridge) and 3m eaves. That's 2m from the boundary, and the garage right on the stone building and the lean-to demolished. most probable case: 9m width, 10m length, 5m height (ridge) and 2.5 eaves. That's 1m from the boundary, 1m from the stone building and the lean-to somehow gets incorporated as a feature. ideal: 10m width, 10m length, 6m height, 4m eaves; 1m from the boundary, somehow I incorporate the stone building and the lean-to to be part of the garage or to complement it all. Front side (I'm facing East); it would have to go behind the stone building, and either up to, or over the collapsed lean-to. Shed will be taken out as well as the vegetation. You may be able to see the boundary at the back (fence).

Hello everyone! I’m a very capable DIYer (restoring cars, welding, blacksmithing, electrics and electronics) and I’ve recently purchased a property in North Wales with my partner. We got very lucky; it’s a one acre plot with a 1930s dormer bungalow. Sadly there’s no garage. And I’m into cars, in fact I’m paying classic car storage which is annoying me. I also like to tinker, and I work remotely from home. So I need a garage, which will serve as a work shop and ultimately should have a mezzanine which serves as my office/study. Due to the nature of the plot (amazing views in West, south and east) I only want to put a big garage near the north east side where our neighbour is a pub that we share a car park with, and from which I’ve got access to the road. Also due to this being my first ever house and the mortgage being substantial, I can’t really afford to spend tens of thousands; only use some savings and take a reasonable personal loan, so I think £35K would be my current budget. I’ve done some research and I believe that rules out anything that’s brick built or timber built. In fact I’m starting to think that the only realistic option is a steel frame, clad with modern cement or composite panels, and a lot of diy aside from ground works and foundations. Im a bit lost as to where to start. I’ve been getting quotes for steel frame buildings, done a CAD design and asked a friend who’s an architect to do some proper designs. I’d definitely need a permit; but I wanna build within 2 meters from the boundary but further than 1m from it, a workshop that’s going to be 5m to 6m tall. The rear boundary is agricultural (a farming field) at the front there’s a B road at about 30 meters, and aside from the pub who’s not bothered by me building a garage I don’t have anyone else nearby. I don’t know what my chances are of actually getting permission, I’ve been told I won’t be able to get permit for a drive to the road due to Flintshire city council being very strict. The footprint would be minimum 8m by 7m although I may be able to go up to 10m by 9m. Did I mention there’s a small stone building in front and a half collapsed stone building at the side? I’d rather not destroy them as they date back to the 1800s, but they aren’t listed. I need the height to put a car ramp and car stacker in, as well as have a large enough mezzanine to spend the working hours. Where should I start from ? I’ve done some measuring using a tape and a laser distance meter and then took it all to the land registry map and measured again. I think after I have a design I should talk to the city council and see what they think. Quotes for a steel building of that size where £70K + VAT, but in reality I can use builders to lay foundations and put the steel frame up, and then slowly clad it and roof it without a rush. Is that realistic or is it a pipe dream? I’d want it insulated with heating and plumbing eventually but if I can store a few cars that would be a good first step as storage costs me £1500 a year already which is the real urgent issue. Meaning that as long as I can put walls, a roof on and some doors/windows, I can wait to complete the interior later on. I appreciate any feedback, positive or negative! Regards, Alex