Planning Permission in Leicestershire

Planning Permission in Leicestershire

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can agree to building works by granting permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will mostly 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 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's always worth verifying with your local authority. If you are considering undertaking a garage conversion on a listed building or live in a conservation area, you will require planning permission. In addition, if any of the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbour, you will require a Party Wall Agreement. You must conform to all building regulations pertaining 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 often a good idea to work with an architect to draft plans and 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 taken into account from the start of the project, it is much less likely that there will be any trouble further down the line. Nearly all planning permission applications in England are approved.