Planning Permission in County Down

Planning Permission in County Down

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can consent to building works by granting permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will usually not require planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you don't plan 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 some locations by councils, particularly in new builds, so it is always worth checking with your local authority. If you are planning to undertake a garage conversion on a listed building or live in a conservation area, you will need planning permission. In addition, if the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbouring property, you will require a Party Wall Agreement. You must adhere to all building regulations related 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 usually a good idea to work with an architect to draw up plans 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 considered from the start of the project, it is much less likely that there will be any trouble further down the road. The majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.