Planning Permission in Berkeley
Planning permission is a system where local authorities can agree to building works by giving permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will often not require planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you don't plan to enlarge the structure of your home. Garage conversions are often protected by permitted development rights, which cover a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been rescinded in a number of regions by local authorities, especially in new builds, so it is always worth verifying with your local authority. If you're intending on undertaking 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 must comply with all building regulations related to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover parts of the conversion such as insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is often a good idea to utilise an architect to draw up technical drawings also to approve designs in order to ensure compliance with these regulations. You'll 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. The majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.
