Planning Permission in Northwich

Planning Permission in Northwich

Planning permission is a system where local authorities can authorise building works by granting permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will often not require 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 cover a variety of home improvement work. However, these rights have been taken away in a few areas by councils, particularly in new builds, therefore it is always worth checking with your local authority. If you're intending to undertake a garage conversion on a listed building or live in a conservation area, you will require 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 conform to 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 draw up plans and to approve designs in order to ensure compliance with these regulations. You will likely still need to submit plans describing 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. Nearly all planning permission applications in England are approved.