Planning Permission in Newton Aycliffe

Planning Permission in Newton Aycliffe

Planning permission is a system where local authorities can authorise building works by granting permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will mostly not need planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you do not intend to enlarge the structure of your property. Garage conversions tend to be protected by permitted development rights, which protect a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been taken away in a few regions by local authorities, usually in new builds, so it is always worth verifying with your local authority. If you are intending on undertaking a garage conversion on a listed building or live in a conservation area, you will need planning permission. Furthermore, if any of the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbour, you will need a Party Wall Agreement. You must adhere to all building regulations related to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover aspects of the conversion like insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is usually a good idea to utilise an architect to draft technical drawings and also to 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 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.