Planning Permission in Chester

Planning Permission in Chester

Planning permission is a system where local authorities can consent to building works by giving permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will usually not require planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you do not intend to enlarge 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 removed in a few regions by local authorities, usually in new builds, so it's always worth verifying with your local authority. If you are thinking about undertaking 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 neighbour, you will require a Party Wall Agreement. You are required to adhere to all building regulations pertaining to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover aspects of the conversion such as insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is generally a good idea to work with an architect to draw up plans and 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 much less likely that there will be any trouble further down the line. Nearly all planning permission applications in England are approved.