Planning Permission in Greater London

Planning Permission in Greater London

Planning permission is a system where local authorities can authorise building works by granting permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will often not require planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you do not intend to enlarge the structure of your home. Garage conversions tend to be covered under permitted development rights, which cover a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been rescinded in a few areas by local authorities, particularly in new builds, therefore it is always worth verifying with your local authority. If you're thinking about undertaking a garage conversion on a listed building or live in a conservation area, you will require planning permission. In addition, if the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbouring property, you will require a Party Wall Agreement. You are required to adhere to all building regulations corresponding 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 usually a good idea to utilise an architect to draw up plans and to approve designs in order to ensure compliance with these regulations. You will likely still need to submit plans detailing the change of use of the garage to your local authority. If planning permission is considered 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.