Planning Permission in Paisley

Planning Permission in Paisley

Planning permission is a system where local authorities can consent to building works by granting permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will mostly not require planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you do not plan 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 removed in certain areas by councils, especially in new builds, so it's 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 need planning permission. In addition, if the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbour, you will need a Party Wall Agreement. You will still need to comply with all building regulations corresponding to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover elements of the conversion including insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is generally a good idea to work with 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 taken into account from the start of the project, it is much less likely that there will be any trouble further down the road. Nearly all planning permission applications in England are approved.