Planning Permission in Herne Bay

Planning Permission in Herne Bay

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can authorise building works by granting permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will typically not need planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you don't plan to enlarge the structure of your home. Garage conversions are usually covered under permitted development rights, which cover a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been taken away in a number of regions by councils, usually in new builds, therefore it is always worth checking with your local authority. If you are preparing to undertake a garage conversion on a listed building or are 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 will need a Party Wall Agreement. You will still need to adhere to all building regulations relevant to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover parts of the conversion such as insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is often a good idea to work with an architect to draw up plans and 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 much less likely that there will be any trouble further down the line. The majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.