Planning Permission in Dudley

Planning Permission in Dudley

Planning permission is a system where local authorities can agree to building works by granting permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will typically not need planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you do not plan to expand the structure of your house. Garage conversions tend to be covered under permitted development rights, which protect a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been taken away in certain locations by local authorities, usually in new builds, so it is always worth checking with your local authority. If you are preparing to undertake a garage conversion on a listed building or live in a conservation area, you will require planning permission. Furthermore, if the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbouring property, you must obtain a Party Wall Agreement. You are required to 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 such as insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is often a good idea to utilise an architect to draw up plans also 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 considered from the start of the project, it is much less likely that there will be any trouble further down the road. Nearly all planning permission applications in England are approved.