Planning Permission in Lincoln

Planning Permission in Lincoln

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 require planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you don't plan to enlarge the structure of your property. Garage conversions tend to be protected by permitted development rights, which protect a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been taken away in a few regions by councils, especially in new builds, so it's always worth verifying with your local authority. If you're planning 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 neighbour, you will require a Party Wall Agreement. You are required 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 usually a good idea to work with an architect to draft plans and 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 taken into account from the start of the project, it is far less likely that there will be any trouble further down the road. The majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.