Garage conversion areas around Southampton
Garage conversion areas around Southampton fall under four councils: the city’s semis in Shirley and Bitterne, the Eastleigh-borough estates from Chandler’s Ford to Hamble, Romsey in Test Valley and Totton in the New Forest district. Each area page covers its planning points and the conversions that suit its housing.
(Eight areas)
Pick your area
- SO15, SO16
Shirley & Bassett
Edwardian and inter-war semis, Bassett villasGarage conversions in Shirley - SO18, SO19
Bitterne & Woolston
Post-war semis, Victorian terraces, waterside new-buildsGarage conversions in Bitterne - SO50
Eastleigh & Bishopstoke
Railway terraces, post-war semis, estate homesGarage conversions in Eastleigh - SO53
Chandler’s Ford
Detached and semi-detached, 1920s to 1990sGarage conversions in Chandler’s Ford - SO51, SO52
Romsey & North Baddesley
Post-war and modern estates, period town centreGarage conversions in Romsey - SO40
Totton & Marchwood
Post-war and 1970s to 1990s estatesGarage conversions in Totton - SO30, SO18 (part of West End)
Hedge End, West End & Botley
1970s to 2000s estates, village coresGarage conversions in Hedge End - SO31
Hamble, Netley & Bursledon
1960s to 2000s estates, historic village coresGarage conversions in Hamble
Places we cover
- Shirley
- Upper Shirley
- Bassett
- Bitterne
- Bitterne Park
- Woolston
- Sholing
- Eastleigh
- Bishopstoke
- Fair Oak
- Chandler’s Ford
- Hiltingbury
- Romsey
- North Baddesley
- Totton
- Calmore
- Marchwood
- Hedge End
- West End
- Botley
- Boorley Green
- Hamble-le-Rice
- Netley
- Bursledon
(Across the area)
How local housing changes a garage conversion
The garage you have depends on when and where your home was built, and that decides most of what a conversion involves.
Southampton city: Shirley, Bassett, Bitterne and Woolston
Inter-war and post-war semis with side garages make up much of Shirley and Bitterne, Bassett has larger detached houses, and Woolston adds newer waterside homes with integral garages. Southampton City Council handles planning, and the Old Woolston conservation area needs care with any change to the front.
Eastleigh borough: Eastleigh, Chandler’s Ford, Hedge End and Hamble
Link-detached and detached 1970s houses in Chandler’s Ford and Eastleigh have single and double garages; Hedge End, West End and Boorley Green add integral garages on later estates. Eastleigh’s parking standards, adopted in September 2025, can condition new homes against conversion, so the planning history matters. Botley, Hamble and Bishopstoke have conservation areas.
Test Valley and New Forest: Romsey, North Baddesley, Totton and Marchwood
Romsey’s centre is a conservation area, ringed by post-war and modern estates that continue into North Baddesley; Test Valley runs its own Building Control. Totton and Marchwood are mostly post-war to 1990s estates planned by New Forest District Council, though homes on their western edges may sit inside the New Forest National Park.
(Areas)
Questions about where we work
Coverage, councils and how local housing changes the job.
Call 07930 368740Do you cover my part of Southampton?
We cover the city itself (Shirley, Bassett, Bitterne, Woolston and Sholing) and the towns around it: Romsey and North Baddesley to the north-west, Eastleigh and Chandler’s Ford to the north, Hedge End and Botley to the east, Hamble, Netley and Bursledon to the south-east, and Totton and Marchwood to the west. Near the edge? Send your postcode with the form.
Do the planning rules change from one council to another?
The national permitted development rules are the same everywhere, but four councils apply them: Southampton City, Eastleigh Borough, Test Valley and New Forest District, with the New Forest National Park Authority for homes inside the Park. Conservation areas, estate conditions and parking policy differ, and Southampton has a city-wide Article 4 direction on HMOs. Each area page covers the local points.
Does the type of house change the work?
Yes. Side garages on 1930s semis generally need a footing, a new front wall and a lifted floor. Integral garages on recent estates need fire-resisting linings beneath the bedroom above. A garage standing apart at the bottom of the garden needs an electricity cable, and possibly pipes, laid from the house.
Who handles Building Control around Southampton?
Southampton & Eastleigh Building Control covers both the city and Eastleigh borough; Test Valley and New Forest District Council run their own services, and a registered Building Control approver is another option. We make the application and book the inspections whichever route applies, and you receive the completion certificate.
(Free survey)
Near the edge of our area? Ask.
Send us your postcode and tell us briefly about the garage; we’ll confirm coverage and book a free visit.
- A home visit to measure and discuss the room
- Scale drawings with a fixed price, item by item
- Planning and Building Regulations checked for your address