Planning Permission in Merseyside

Planning Permission in Merseyside

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can agree to building works by giving permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will usually not require planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you don't intend to enlarge the structure of your house. Garage conversions are often protected by permitted development rights, which cover a variety of home improvement work. However, these rights have been rescinded in certain regions by councils, particularly in new builds, therefore it is always worth checking with your local authority. If you are considering 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 will need a Party Wall Agreement. You will still need to adhere to all building regulations corresponding to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover parts of the conversion such as insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is usually a good idea to use an architect to draft plans 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 considered from the start of the project, it is much less likely that there will be any trouble further down the line. The majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.