Planning Permission in Billingshurst

Planning Permission in Billingshurst

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can consent to building works by giving permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will often not require planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you do not intend to enlarge the structure of your house. Garage conversions are usually covered under permitted development rights, which protect a variety of home improvement work. However, these rights have been removed in a few regions by councils, especially in new builds, so it is always worth checking with your local authority. If you are planning to undertake a garage conversion on a listed building or are in a conservation area, you will need planning permission. Furthermore, if any of the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbour, you must obtain a Party Wall Agreement. You must conform to all building regulations relevant 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 often a good idea to use an architect to draft technical drawings and 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 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.