Planning Permission in Harrogate

Planning Permission in Harrogate

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can agree to building works by giving permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will usually not require planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you do not plan to enlarge the structure of your house. Garage conversions tend to be protected by permitted development rights, which cover a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been taken away in a number of regions by local authorities, particularly in new builds, so 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. Furthermore, if any of the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbour, you must obtain a Party Wall Agreement. You must conform to all building regulations corresponding 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 technical drawings and also 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 taken into account from the start of the project, it is much less likely that there will be any trouble further down the line. Nearly all planning permission applications in England are approved.