Planning Permission in Balham

Planning Permission in Balham

Planning permission is a system where local authorities can agree to building works by granting permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will mostly not require planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you do not intend to expand the structure of your home. Garage conversions tend to be covered under permitted development rights, which cover a variety of home improvement work. However, these rights have been removed in some areas by councils, particularly in new builds, so it is always worth verifying with your local authority. If you are thinking about undertaking a garage conversion on a listed building or are in a conservation area, you will require planning permission. Furthermore, if the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbour, you will need a Party Wall Agreement. You are required to abide by all building regulations relevant to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover elements of the conversion including insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is often a good idea to use an architect to draft plans and to approve designs in order to ensure compliance with these regulations. You will likely still need to submit plans detailing the change of use of the garage to your local authority. If planning permission is considered from the start of the project, it is much less likely that there will be any trouble further down the road. Nearly all planning permission applications in England are approved.