Planning Permission in Earlston

Planning Permission in Earlston

Planning permission is a system where local authorities can authorise building works by granting permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will mostly not need planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you don't intend to enlarge the structure of your house. Garage conversions are often protected by permitted development rights, which protect a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been rescinded in certain locations by local authorities, usually in new builds, therefore it is always worth verifying with your local authority. If you're thinking about undertaking 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 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 draft plans and also to approve designs in order to ensure compliance with these regulations. You will 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 far less likely that there will be any trouble further down the road. The majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.