Planning Permission in Milton Keynes

Planning Permission in Milton Keynes

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can consent to building works by giving permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will typically not require planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you do not intend to expand the structure of your home. Garage conversions tend to be covered under permitted development rights, which cover a variety of home improvement work. However, these rights have been taken away in some regions by councils, especially in new builds, so it is always worth verifying with your local authority. If you are considering undertaking a garage conversion on a listed building or are in a conservation area, you will require planning permission. In addition, if any of the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbour, you must obtain a Party Wall Agreement. You must comply with all building regulations corresponding 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 generally a good idea to use an architect to draft plans 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 taken into account 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.