Planning Permission in Melton Mowbray

Planning Permission in Melton Mowbray

Planning permission is a system where local authorities can consent to building works by giving permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will usually not require planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you do not plan to enlarge 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 a few locations by local authorities, usually in new builds, therefore it is always worth verifying with your local authority. If you're preparing to undertake a garage conversion on a listed building or are in a conservation area, you will require planning permission. Furthermore, if the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbour, you will need 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 generally 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 describing the change of use of the garage to your local authority. If planning permission is considered from the start of the project, it is much less likely that there will be any trouble further down the road. The majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.