Planning Permission in Hackney

Planning Permission in Hackney

Planning permission is a system where local authorities can consent to building works by giving permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will often not need planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you do not plan to enlarge the structure of your house. Garage conversions are often covered under permitted development rights, which protect a variety of home improvement work. However, these rights have been taken away in certain regions by councils, particularly in new builds, therefore it is always worth verifying with your local authority. If you're 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 neighbour, you must obtain 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 aspects of the conversion including insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is often a good idea to utilise an architect to draw up plans and also to 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 far less likely that there will be any trouble further down the road. The majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.