Planning Permission in Darlington

Planning Permission in Darlington

Planning permission is a system where local authorities can agree to building works by granting permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will typically not need planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you do not intend to expand the structure of your house. Garage conversions tend to be protected by permitted development rights, which protect a variety of home improvement work. However, these rights have been removed in certain locations by councils, usually in new builds, so it's always worth checking with your local authority. If you are intending to undertake a garage conversion on a listed building or are in a conservation area, you will need planning permission. Furthermore, if the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbour, you will require a Party Wall Agreement. You will still need to conform 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 technical drawings and to 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 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.