Planning Permission in East Lothian

Planning Permission in East Lothian

Planning permission is a system where local authorities can agree to building works by giving permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will usually not require planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you don't plan to expand the structure of your property. Garage conversions are usually covered under permitted development rights, which protect a variety of home improvement work. However, these rights have been removed in a few regions by local authorities, usually in new builds, so it is always worth verifying with your local authority. If you are considering undertaking a garage conversion on a listed building or live in a conservation area, you will need planning permission. In addition, if any of the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbouring property, you will require a Party Wall Agreement. You must abide by all building regulations corresponding 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 usually a good idea to work with an architect to draft technical drawings and also 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.