Planning Permission in Burton-on-trent

Planning Permission in Burton-on-trent

Planning permission is a system where local authorities can consent to building works by granting permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will mostly not require planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you don't intend to enlarge the structure of your house. Garage conversions are usually protected by permitted development rights, which cover a variety of home improvement work. However, these rights have been taken away in a number of locations by councils, usually in new builds, so it's 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. Furthermore, if any of the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbouring property, you will require a Party Wall Agreement. You must comply with all building regulations relevant to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover elements of the conversion including insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is usually 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 far less likely that there will be any trouble further down the road. The vast majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.