Planning Permission in Ballyclare

Planning Permission in Ballyclare

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can agree to building works by granting permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will usually not need planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you do not plan to expand the structure of your house. Garage conversions are usually covered under permitted development rights, which cover a variety of home improvement work. However, these rights have been rescinded in a few locations by local authorities, particularly in new builds, so it's always worth verifying with your local authority. If you are preparing to undertake a garage conversion on a listed building or live in a conservation area, you will need planning permission. In addition, if the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbouring property, you will need a Party Wall Agreement. You must adhere to all building regulations relevant to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover aspects of the conversion like insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is generally a good idea to use an architect to draft plans and 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 taken into account 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.