Planning Permission in Manchester

Planning Permission in Manchester

Planning permission is a system where local authorities can agree to building works by granting permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will often not need planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you don't intend to expand the structure of your house. Garage conversions are usually protected by permitted development rights, which protect a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been rescinded in a number of regions by local authorities, particularly in new builds, therefore it is always worth verifying with your local authority. If you are preparing 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 neighbouring property, you will require a Party Wall Agreement. You are required to comply with all building regulations relevant 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 often a good idea to utilise 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 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.