Planning Permission in Islington

Planning Permission in Islington

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can authorise building works by granting permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will usually not require planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you don't intend to enlarge the structure of the property. Garage conversions are usually protected by permitted development rights, which cover a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been taken away in some locations by councils, particularly 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 need planning permission. Furthermore, if the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbouring property, you will require a Party Wall Agreement. You are required to comply with all building regulations relevant 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 utilise an architect to draft technical drawings and 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 much less likely that there will be any trouble further down the road. The majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.