Most garages, carports, extensions and boundary structures never need a planning permit — but they do need to meet the siting rules in Part 5 of the Building Regulations 2018. Where a design doesn't, the building surveyor can't issue the permit without the council's report and consent, and councils refuse these more often than owners expect. We prepare report and consent applications that engage the Minister's Guideline (MG-12) criteria properly the first time — and when a refusal has already landed, we run the appeal: the Building Appeals Board hears the matter afresh, is not bound by the council's reasons or by MG-12, and a section 144 appeal must be commenced within 30 days of the decision. We also bring applications direct to the Board under section 160 where the appeal window has closed, and act in the Board's protection works jurisdiction.
What's included
- Report and consent applications — street setbacks (regs 73–74), building height (reg 75), site coverage, side and rear setbacks, walls and carports on boundaries (reg 80), daylight, overshadowing, overlooking, front fences
- Building Appeals Board appeals against refusal (s.144) — grounds of appeal and statement of contentions, within the 30-day window
- Applications direct to the Board under s.160 where the appeal period has passed
- Streetscape and prevailing-setback evidence that councils rarely see
- Modifications, amended proposals and conditions negotiated with council before and during proceedings
- Protection works disputes and determinations before the Board
Ideal for
- Owners refused report and consent for a garage, carport or extension
- Builders and designers whose building permit is stalled on a siting variation
- Building surveyors referring clients who need a consent or an appeal run properly