Planning Permission in Northumberland

Planning Permission in Northumberland

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can authorise building works by giving permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will mostly not need planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you don't plan to expand the structure of your home. 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 regions by local authorities, particularly in new builds, so it is always worth checking 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 require planning permission. In addition, if the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbour, you must obtain a Party Wall Agreement. You are required to adhere to all building regulations pertaining 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 usually a good idea to use an architect to draft technical drawings and 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 far less likely that there will be any trouble further down the line. The vast majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.