Planning Permission in Maidstone

Planning Permission in Maidstone

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can agree to building works by granting permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will usually not require planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you do not plan to expand the structure of your house. Garage conversions are often protected by permitted development rights, which protect a variety of home improvement work. However, these rights have been rescinded in a number of areas by local authorities, usually in new builds, therefore it is always worth checking with your local authority. If you are thinking about undertaking a garage conversion on a listed building or live in a conservation area, you will require planning permission. Furthermore, if the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbour, you must obtain a Party Wall Agreement. You will still need to adhere to all building regulations relevant to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover parts of the conversion like insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is often a good idea to work with an architect to draw up technical drawings also to approve designs in order to ensure compliance with these regulations. You'll likely still need to submit plans describing 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 line. The vast majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.