If you live in the Cotswolds, building a new garage needs careful planning. Much of the region is regulated by strict planning regulations because of its special building tradition.
This article looks at what limitations apply and what type of garage design will likely receive planning permission.
A large portion of the Cotswolds has been designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). It's the biggest in England, covering 787 square miles (2,038 km²) and stretching south-west from Stratford-upon-Avon to Bath.
The unspoiled historic towns and villages in the Cotswolds feature stone-built buildings, stately homes, endearing cottages, and enchanting gardens. These need to be protected for future generations to enjoy. That’s why planning restrictions are in place in most of the region.
So, to build a garage in the Cotswolds, you will likely need to obtain planning permission from your Local Planning Authority. If your home is a Listed Building, you will also need to apply for listed building consent.
Before choosing a garage design, check if these rules apply to your home by calling the Cotswolds District Council’s planning department or visiting the website.
While there are limitations to the type of garage you can build, you can increase your chances of success with a well-thought-out application. How? Submit a proposal for a traditional-looking outbuilding that blends seamlessly with the site around your home.
Let’s see how.
Whether you live in a charming rural village like Bibury, Burford, or Painswick or a bigger town like Cirencester, Cheltenham, or Stroud, your garage should complement its surroundings.
The Cotswolds is renowned for its picturesque honey-colored limestone buildings featuring steeply-pitched roofs, casement or sash windows, and stone chimneys.
To match the local historic architecture, follow these design tips.
Timber is a great economical option for building a garage in the Cotswolds. It is one of the materials traditionally used in construction in this area and matches the typical Cotswolds oolitic honey-coloured limestone.
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To preserve the wood’s original honey colour, apply varnish after the installation. You will need to reapply it every few years to prevent the wood from turning silver. This is an easy job that can often be done in a day.
When it comes to the roof, opt for a higher pitch to mirror the steep roofs typical of the area.
To match the typical Stonesfield slates, whose colour is a shade of amber, opt for either:
Onduvilla and clay and slate tiles require less maintenance than cedar shingles. However, these have more of a rustic, natural look.
If you want to let some natural light into your garage, add framed windows to your design. These resemble the casement and sash windows used in historic buildings.
To help the garage blend in with the area around it even more, add some climbing roses or wisteria to adorn the façade. They will add that irresistible Cotswolds charm.
Plant these in raised planters and place them by the base of the garage.
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An oak-framed carriage house - also called a car barn or barn-style garage - is a timber-framed garage featuring one or more open bays and one enclosed bay.
Its design is inspired by traditional garages. In the 18th century, the open bay stored horse-drawn carriages and carts, while the enclosed bay housed the driver.
If you’re looking to build a garage that complements the charm of your Cotswolds home and maybe even your classic car, a carriage house is an ideal choice. It matches the area's traditional architecture and has a lot of character, fitting seamlessly with the sensitive setting.
A carriage house is also very versatile. You can fit a workshop, hobby room, gym, or storage unit in the enclosed bay.
At Chart Garages, we build traditional open barn-style garages that look like they belong in the heart of the Cotswolds.
We offer two options for carriage houses: the Chart range and the Chester range. The Chester Carriage House is supported by an oak frame and installed with a steeper pitched roof (up to 35°) to complement your home. The Chart Carriage House features a softwood frame and a 17° roof pitch.
Our carriage houses are built to order, so you can customise them to suit any size and configuration. Change the number of enclosed and open bays and add insulation, internal partitions, or an external log store.
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You can choose between Onduvilla shaded brown, red, black, and cedar shingles. Our garages can be built ready to take clay or slate tiles. Our UPVC-framed windows mirror the shape of traditional casement and sash windows.
Finally, choose between shiplap and weatherboarding for the cladding.
