Planning Permission in Haringey

Planning Permission in Haringey

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can agree to building works by granting permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will typically not require planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you don't plan to enlarge the structure of your property. Garage conversions are often protected by permitted development rights, which protect a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been removed in some regions by councils, usually in new builds, so it is always worth checking with your local authority. If you are planning to undertake a garage conversion on a listed building or live in a conservation area, you will need planning permission. In addition, if any of the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbouring property, you must obtain a Party Wall Agreement. You will still need to abide by all building regulations relevant to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover parts of the conversion including insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is generally a good idea to work with 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 describing the change of use of the garage to your local authority. If planning permission is considered from the start of the project, it is far less likely that there will be any trouble further down the road. The vast majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.