Planning Permission in Ayr

Planning Permission in Ayr

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can authorise building works by granting permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will usually not require planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you do not intend to expand the structure of your property. Garage conversions are usually protected by permitted development rights, which cover a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been rescinded in some regions by councils, usually in new builds, so it's always worth checking with your local authority. If you're thinking about undertaking a garage conversion on a listed building or live in a conservation area, you will require planning permission. Furthermore, if the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbour, you will require a Party Wall Agreement. You will still need to abide by all building regulations corresponding to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover parts of the conversion like insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is often a good idea to use 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 much less likely that there will be any trouble further down the line. Nearly all planning permission applications in England are approved.