Planning Permission in Gosport

Planning Permission in Gosport

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can consent to building works by granting permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will often not need planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you do not plan to expand the structure of your property. Garage conversions are usually protected by permitted development rights, which protect a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been taken away in some 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 the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbouring property, you must obtain a Party Wall Agreement. You are required to comply with 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 use an architect to draft technical drawings 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 much less likely that there will be any trouble further down the road. The vast majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.