Scottish Elises

I have a gravelled car parking area at the foot of my garden that has room for at least 6 cars.

Since I bought the house, about a year and a half ago, I've planned to build a 7.5m x 7.5m garage with pitched slate roof and attic storage on this ground.

I've had an architect round and he has drawn me up an outline plan, so far FOC. The architect reckons the consents wouldn't be a problem but his charge and the council fees would be about a grand.

I reckon I can have the garage built for around 8.5-9k.

But, I've since come to realise that I don't like the house enough to be here for more than another year or two and reckon that a 10k investment in the garage wouldn't be returned when I sell.

Now I still need a garage. The Elise is parked out in all weathers and the Elan will be coming back soon.

What can I build or buy cheaply?

I'm thinking 3-4k max, without PP & Building warrants if possible.

Have you thought about a Carcoon? It saves having to build anything and you can take it with you when you move

One of my problems with the house is that the car parking area is beyond a fence at the bottom of my garden and next to the road. So is pretty much out of sight, so a carcoon would be no use. In fact there's no barrier to stop passers by wandering in. Not a problem for a boring diesel Mini, but the Lotus attracts too much attention.

Knock down the fence!

How’s about a shipping container or two. Not very pretty but very secure and you can pick them up cheaply. Probably sell on for what you bought it / them for in a couple of years and get your money back. You could always paint an inoffensive colour and grow a few trees / climbers up it.

I doubt you’d need pp on the basis that they are temporary structures.

Otherwise put up a cheep timber shed and hope for the best.

If I knock the fence down the passers by will be staring at me!

Graham's idea is great - more secure than most garages - cheap and sturdy. You have set me wondering if that might be the solution for our garden too.

Rent a council garage. My mate got one in Bridge of Don, Aberdeen (no real waitin) and only cost £18 per week. Nice short term solution.

Container seems like a good idea - should have thought of that. Best fit would be a 15ft jobby, which from a quick google should cost about 2k delivered.

It's in a residential area though, don't think the neighbours would necessarily approve, but then don't think there's much they could do about it either.

I joined the local council waiting when I was 14!!!! Priority always goes to existing council tenants, so in reality I'll never get one.

Quick search on EBay of "wooden garage" shows quite a few two car garages for under 2k.
Fairly easy to put up, looks a bit better than the container and you can take it with you when you move or sell it on.

I reckon I would need planning permission for that.

I called the local planning officer today for some advice, but they will only reply to a given written application giving exact location, size type etc rather than a general " how big can I build without planning permission?". And each letter can take 15 working days for a reply to be sent.

I acquired a few hundred reclaimed railway sleepers late last year; some knackered but some still in good strong condition. I have thought about building something out of these, would knock together pretty quick and would be solid. Just the question of planning again.

Another avenue to look down is a pre fab concrete garage. I had one and I couldn't give it away, might be worth checking gumtree and putting a wanted ad up.
I believe as long as the garage is lower then 2.5m high and smaller then 30m2 floor area you don't need planning permission. There are a few other caveats to do with being a certain distance from a road as well. When I was looking into it I just walked into the local planning authority and asked what size I could have and told them my address and they checked the maps to see whether it would be ok.

If you build without planning permission they will make you take it down if someone tells on you so your total investment will be lost, I'd rent a garage if I were you seeing as your moving in a year or so???

Mark

Benjymoto wrote:Another avenue to look down is a pre fab concrete garage. I had one and I couldn't give it away, might be worth checking gumtree and putting a wanted ad up.
I believe as long as the garage is lower then 2.5m high and smaller then 30m2 floor area you don't need planning permission. There are a few other caveats to do with being a certain distance from a road as well. When I was looking into it I just walked into the local planning authority and asked what size I could have and told them my address and they checked the maps to see whether it would be ok.

Depends on garden size and if your facing, backing onto a public aspect and also if the property has been extended in the past.