Planning Permission in Gloucestershire

Planning Permission in Gloucestershire

Planning permission is a system where local authorities can agree to building works by giving permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will mostly not require planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you don't intend to enlarge the structure of your property. Garage conversions tend to be covered under permitted development rights, which protect a variety of home improvement work. However, these rights have been taken away in certain areas by local authorities, particularly in new builds, so it's always worth verifying 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 any of the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbouring property, you will need a Party Wall Agreement. You must adhere to all building regulations relevant 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 use an architect to draw up technical drawings and 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 taken into account 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.