Planning Permission in Ashford

Planning Permission in Ashford

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can authorise building works by granting permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will usually not need planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you don't plan to expand the structure of the property. Garage conversions are usually covered under permitted development rights, which cover a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been removed in a number of regions by councils, especially in new builds, therefore it is always worth verifying with your local authority. If you are intending to undertake a garage conversion on a listed building or live in a conservation area, you will need planning permission. In addition, if any of the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbour, you will need a Party Wall Agreement. You will still need to conform to all building regulations relevant to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover aspects of the conversion including insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is usually a good idea to utilise an architect to draft plans also to approve designs in order to ensure compliance with these regulations. You will likely still need to submit plans describing the change of use of the garage to your local authority. If planning permission is taken into account from the start of the project, it is far less likely that there will be any trouble further down the line. The vast majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.