Planning Permission in Inverness

Planning Permission in Inverness

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can agree to building works by granting permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will mostly not need planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you do not plan to expand the structure of the property. Garage conversions are usually protected by permitted development rights, which protect a variety of home improvement work. However, these rights have been rescinded in some areas by councils, especially in new builds, therefore it is always worth checking with your local authority. If you're planning to undertake a garage conversion on a listed building or live in a conservation area, you will require planning permission. In addition, if the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbouring property, you will require a Party Wall Agreement. You will still need to abide by all building regulations related 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 often a good idea to work with an architect to draft plans also 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 much less likely that there will be any trouble further down the road. The vast majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.