Planning Permission in Enfield

Planning Permission in Enfield

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can agree to building works by granting permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will often not need planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you do not plan to expand 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 removed in a few regions by councils, especially in new builds, so it is always worth checking with your local authority. If you are considering undertaking a garage conversion on a listed building or are in a conservation area, you will require planning permission. Furthermore, if any of the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbouring property, you must obtain a Party Wall Agreement. You must abide by all building regulations related to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover parts of the conversion like insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is often a good idea to use an architect to draw up plans 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 line. Nearly all planning permission applications in England are approved.