Planning Permission in Neath

Planning Permission in Neath

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can consent to building works by granting permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will mostly not require planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you do not plan to enlarge the structure of the property. Garage conversions are often protected by permitted development rights, which protect a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been taken away in a number of locations by councils, especially in new builds, so it is always worth verifying with your local authority. If you are preparing to undertake a garage conversion on a listed building or live 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 need a Party Wall Agreement. You must 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 such as insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is generally a good idea to use an architect to draft technical drawings and 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 far less likely that there will be any trouble further down the line. The majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.