Planning Permission in Buckinghamshire

Planning Permission in Buckinghamshire

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 protected by permitted development rights, which cover a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been taken away in a number of regions by local authorities, particularly in new builds, so it is always worth checking 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 require a Party Wall Agreement. You are required to conform to all building regulations pertaining to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover elements of the conversion such as insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is usually a good idea to utilise an architect to draw up 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 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.