Planning Permission in High Wycombe

Planning Permission in High Wycombe

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can agree to building works by giving permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will often not require planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you don't plan to expand the structure of your house. Garage conversions tend to be protected by permitted development rights, which protect a variety of home improvement work. However, these rights have been removed in a few regions by councils, particularly in new builds, therefore it is always worth verifying with your local authority. If you're considering undertaking a garage conversion on a listed building or are in a conservation area, you will require planning permission. In addition, if the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbour, you will need a Party Wall Agreement. You must abide by all building regulations pertaining 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 usually 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 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 line. The majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.