Planning Permission in London County

Planning Permission in London County

Planning permission is a system where local authorities can agree to building works by granting permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will often not need planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you do not intend to enlarge the structure of your property. Garage conversions tend to be covered under permitted development rights, which protect a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been rescinded in a number of areas by local authorities, usually in new builds, so it is always worth verifying with your local authority. If you're considering undertaking a garage conversion on a listed building or live in a conservation area, you will require planning permission. In addition, if the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbour, you must obtain a Party Wall Agreement. You must abide by all building regulations related to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover aspects of the conversion including insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is often a good idea to work with an architect to draft technical drawings 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 considered 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.