Planning Permission in Plymouth

Planning Permission in Plymouth

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can consent to building works by granting permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will typically not require planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you do not intend to enlarge the structure of your house. Garage conversions tend to be covered under permitted development rights, which protect a variety of home improvement work. However, these rights have been rescinded in some locations by local authorities, especially in new builds, so it's always worth checking with your local authority.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 need planning permission. In addition, if the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbouring property, you will require a Party Wall Agreement. You will still need to abide by all building regulations relevant to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover parts of the conversion like insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is often a good idea to utilise an architect to draft plans and also 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 considered from the start of the project, it is far less likely that there will be any trouble further down the road. The vast majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.