Planning Permission in Hertford

Planning Permission in Hertford

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can agree to building works by granting permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will often not need planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you don't intend to enlarge the structure of your house. Garage conversions are usually protected by permitted development rights, which protect a variety of home improvement work. However, these rights have been rescinded in a number of regions by councils, usually in new builds, therefore it is always worth verifying with your local authority. If you're preparing to undertake a garage conversion on a listed building or are in a conservation area, you will require planning permission. In addition, if any of the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbouring property, you will need 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 like insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is generally a good idea to utilise 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 taken into account from the start of the project, it is far less likely that there will be any trouble further down the line. Nearly all planning permission applications in England are approved.