Planning Permission in Barrow-in-furness

Planning Permission in Barrow-in-furness

Planning permission is a system where local authorities can consent to building works by giving permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will typically not need planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you don't intend to enlarge the structure of your house. Garage conversions are often protected by permitted development rights, which cover a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been taken away 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 live in a conservation area, you will need planning permission. Furthermore, if the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbour, you will need a Party Wall Agreement. You will still need to comply with all building regulations corresponding to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover parts of the conversion including insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is generally a good idea to use an architect to draw up plans and 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 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.