Planning Permission in Newton Stewart

Planning Permission in Newton Stewart

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can authorise 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 don't plan to enlarge the structure of your property. Garage conversions are usually protected by permitted development rights, which protect a variety of home improvement work. However, these rights have been taken away in a few areas by councils, particularly in new builds, so it's always worth verifying with your local authority. If you're intending on 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 require 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 elements of the conversion such as insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is generally a good idea to work with an architect to draft technical drawings and 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 vast majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.