Planning Permission in County Armagh

Planning Permission in County Armagh

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can consent to building works by giving permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will typically not require planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you don't plan to expand the structure of your home. Garage conversions are usually protected by permitted development rights, which protect a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been rescinded in a few regions by councils, especially in new builds, therefore it is always worth verifying with your local authority. If you're intending on undertaking a garage conversion on a listed building or live in a conservation area, you will require planning permission. In addition, if the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbour, you must obtain a Party Wall Agreement. You will still need to comply with all building regulations corresponding to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover parts of the conversion like insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is often a good idea to use an architect to draw up technical drawings and 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 line. The majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.