Planning Permission in Ipswich

Planning Permission in Ipswich

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can authorise building works by granting permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will often not require planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you do not intend to enlarge the structure of your home. Garage conversions are often covered under permitted development rights, which cover a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been taken away in some areas by councils, particularly in new builds, so it is always worth verifying with your local authority. If you are intending on 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 neighbouring property, you will need a Party Wall Agreement. You will still need to conform to all building regulations relevant 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 use an architect to draft plans 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 considered from the start of the project, it is far less likely that there will be any trouble further down the line. The vast majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.