- Planning authority
- Leicester City Council
- Postcodes
- LE1, LE2, LE3, LE4, LE5
- Noon sun, 21 March
- About 37°
- Shadow from a 5 m eaves line
- About 6.5 m
- Planning plan
- Local Plan
- County
- Leicestershire
What the council will look at in Leicester
Homes on a garage court in Leicester usually sit close to neighbouring gardens on several sides. In December the sun at midday gets no higher than about 14°, so a tall building near a boundary can leave those gardens in shade for much of the winter.
Low, carefully placed homes avoid most of that. Mews-style homes with windows facing along the court, or bungalows set back from the boundaries, often answer the overlooking and light questions Leicester City Council is likely to raise. We test each option against your site before anything is drawn in detail.
The next steps, locally
Tell us where the garages or yard are in Leicester and how the land is used now. From there we review Leicester City Council’s policies, past applications close by and the title, looking for rights of way, covenants and charges. If nothing stands in the way, we’ll arrange to meet you on site and walk the lane and the court together.
Free site appraisal
We look at the site on maps, the title plan and the planning history, then talk through who uses it now. If it looks workable we visit. There’s no cost and no obligation.
Rights and title review
We map who has rights over the court and lane, which garages are let and on what terms, and whether any covenants, charges or strips of land you don’t own could block a scheme.
Site checks and layout
We look at the access lane, the buildings, likely asbestos and contamination, drains and neighbours’ windows, then sketch what could realistically fit, from one home to a small group, or nothing at all.
Planning, then sale or build
We prepare and submit the application and the council decides. If you sell, your solicitor handles the transfer. If you build, a written quote follows design and survey, then demolition and construction.
Worth checking early
- Ending garage tenancies or licences takes time, and some tenants may have legal protection; get legal advice before serving notice.
- Asbestos, contamination and bat surveys add cost and time before demolition can start.
- If garage income stops before a sale or build completes, you lose that income in the meantime.
Questions about garden plots in Leicester
Is the lane to my Leicester garages wide enough?
It depends on the lane, the number of homes and local highway standards. The council will look at width, visibility at the street and the effect on neighbours. Fire and bin access matter too. A narrow lane may limit the number of homes rather than ruling the site out.
What does it cost to have my Leicester garage site assessed?
Nothing. Our assessment is free, with no obligation. We review the title, maps and planning history and speak to you before deciding whether a visit is worthwhile. You’re only committed after choosing a route and agreeing terms set out in writing.
Do I need an asbestos survey for garages in Leicester?
Yes, before demolition. Health and Safety Executive guidance says a refurbishment and demolition survey must find asbestos before structural work begins. Older garage roofs are often asbestos cement sheeting. Specialists carry out the survey and removal, and we build both into the plan.
Can I build houses on my garage block in Leicester?
Possibly, if the lane works for cars, bins and emergency access, neighbours’ privacy and light are protected, and rights over the site can be dealt with. Homes there need planning permission, which is Leicester City Council’s decision. A free appraisal shows whether the site merits going further.
Other options in Leicester
- Planning promotion for your garden plot
- Planning permission for a garden plot
- Sell part of your garden
- Garden plot option agreement
- Corner and side plots
- Joint venture on your garden plot