Planning Permission in Kirkcudbright

Planning Permission in Kirkcudbright

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can consent to building works by giving permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will mostly not need planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you do not intend to enlarge the structure of your house. Garage conversions are usually covered under permitted development rights, which cover a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been rescinded in a number of locations by councils, usually in new builds, so it is always worth verifying with your local authority. If you are thinking about undertaking 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 neighbour, you must obtain a Party Wall Agreement. You must comply with all building regulations corresponding to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover aspects of the conversion such as 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 describing 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. Nearly all planning permission applications in England are approved.