Planning Permission in Chatham

Planning Permission in Chatham

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can agree to building works by granting permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will often not require planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you do not plan to expand the structure of your home. Garage conversions are usually covered under permitted development rights, which cover a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been taken away in some areas by local authorities, especially 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 require 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 will still need to adhere to 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 utilise an architect to draft technical drawings also to approve designs in order to ensure compliance with these regulations. You'll likely still need to submit plans describing 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.