Garage in Merton: Planning Permission Guide
A guide to building a garage in Merton under permitted development — rules, costs, and professional advice.
Check if your garage qualifiesGarages in Merton at a glance
approved
application fee
weeks typical
Based on 43 decided applications in Merton over 12 months (38 granted, 5 refused).
Merton has conservation areas including Wimbledon Village, Wimbledon Common, Mitcham Cricket Green, and Cannizaro Park. Listed buildings cluster around Wimbledon Common and Merton Abbey Mills. Wimbledon Common is Metropolitan Common Land with its own byelaws near the edges. Article 4 Directions cover parts of Wimbledon Village. The borough has a mix of affluent Edwardian housing around Wimbledon and Victorian terrace stock in Mitcham and Colliers Wood.
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Approval probability, 5 nearest comparables, refusal reasons — for your specific address.
Recent garage decisions in Merton
The 5 most recent decided applications. Addresses redacted to postcode area.
DEMOLITION OF THE EXISTING DETACHED GARAGE AND ERECTION OF A NEW 2 STOREY DETACHED DWELLING WITH ASSOCIATED HARD AND SOFT LANDSCAPING AN…
DEMOLITION OF EXISTING GARAGE AND REPLACEMENT WITH A NEW 2 STOREY SIDE ADDITION WITH A BARN HIPPED ROOF.
APPLICATION FOR NON-MATERIAL AMENDMENTS TO APPLICATION 23/P3328, APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF CONDITION 2 (APPROVED PLANS) ATTACHED TO LB…
ERECTION OF NEW ROOF TO EXISTING GARAGE AND CONVERSION OF GARAGE TO HABITABLE INCLUDING INSERTION OF FRONT WINDOW
APPLICATION FOR REMODELLING OF FRONT ELEVATION AND ADDITION OF PV PANELS TO REAR ROOF SLOPES AND ABOVE GARAGE
These are borough-wide. See the 5 nearest to your address.
Get my report — £9Permitted Development Rules
Buildings etc incidental to the enjoyment of a dwellinghouse
GPDO 2015, Schedule 2, Part 1, Class E
Garages fall under Part 1, Class E of the GPDO (the same class as outbuildings). They must be incidental to the enjoyment of the house.
Key dimension limits
These are the maximum GPDO limits for a detached house with no constraints. Your actual limits depend on your property type, location, and any planning restrictions.
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Check my limitsTypical Costs in London
Garage costs depend on size, whether it's attached or detached, and whether it includes electrics or additional rooms above.
Cost per m²
construction rate
Typical total
Based on 15–20 m²
Typically includes
Typically excludes
Single garage. Double garages and garages with rooms above will be significantly more.
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Get my estimateWhich Professionals Do You Need?
A standard single garage can often be built from supplier designs. A garage with rooms above will need architectural and structural input.
A draughtsperson or architectural technician can prepare any drawings needed. A full architect may not be necessary.
Garden buildings and garages can often use supplier designs or simple drawings from a draughtsperson.
Typical fee: £500–£2,000 (Basic drawings)
A structural engineer may be needed if the garage has a room above or connects to the house.
Typical fee: £500–£1,500
May apply if the work is within 3 metres of a shared boundary. Check with your builder.
Typical fee: £700–£1,500 (per neighbour (if applicable))
This guidance is based on a typical semi-detached house with no special constraints. Listed buildings, conservation areas, and attached properties may require additional professional input.
Find out exactly which professionals you need for your garage.
Get personalised guidanceConservation Areas & Listed Buildings
In conservation areas, garages are subject to the same Class E rules. Consider using materials sympathetic to the area character.
Properties in conservation areas often have reduced permitted development rights. Some project types (like side extensions) lose PD rights entirely. An Article 4 Direction can remove additional PD rights.
Listed buildings (Grade I, II*, or II) have no permitted development rights at all. Any external alteration requires Listed Building Consent in addition to any planning permission. An architect experienced in heritage work is essential.
Check if your property is in a conservation area or has other planning constraints.
Check my propertyFrequently Asked Questions
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Run our free 2-minute check to see whether your project likely qualifies as permitted development in Merton. For personalised approval odds and nearby comparables, get the full report above.
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