Planning Permission in East Of England

Planning Permission in East Of England

Planning permission is a system where local authorities can consent to building works by granting permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will typically not need planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you don't intend to enlarge the structure of your property. Garage conversions are often covered under permitted development rights, which cover a variety of home improvement work. However, these rights have been rescinded in some areas by local authorities, particularly in new builds, therefore it is always worth checking with your local authority. If you are intending on undertaking 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 will require a Party Wall Agreement. You must abide by all building regulations pertaining to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover elements of the conversion such as insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is generally a good idea to use an architect to draw up technical drawings 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 taken into account from the start of the project, it is much less likely that there will be any trouble further down the line. Nearly all planning permission applications in England are approved.