Planning Permission in Cheshire

Planning Permission in Cheshire

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can agree to building works by giving permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will mostly not require planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you do not intend to expand the structure of your home. Garage conversions tend to be protected by permitted development rights, which protect a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been rescinded in certain regions by local authorities, especially in new builds, therefore it is always worth verifying with your local authority. If you're preparing to undertake a garage conversion on a listed building or are in a conservation area, you will require planning permission. Furthermore, if any of the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbouring property, you will need a Party Wall Agreement. You are required to comply with all building regulations pertaining to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover parts of the conversion including insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is often a good idea to utilise an architect to draft plans and 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 line. Nearly all planning permission applications in England are approved.