Planning Permission in Banffshire

Planning Permission in Banffshire

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can agree to building works by giving permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will usually not need planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you don't plan to enlarge the structure of your house. Garage conversions tend to be protected by permitted development rights, which cover a variety of home improvement work. However, these rights have been taken away in a number of regions by councils, particularly in new builds, therefore it is always worth verifying with your local authority. If you're planning 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 neighbouring property, you will need a Party Wall Agreement. You are required to adhere to all building regulations corresponding 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 generally 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 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 line. Nearly all planning permission applications in England are approved.