Planning Permission in Portstewart

Planning Permission in Portstewart

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can consent to building works by giving permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will usually not require planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you do not intend to enlarge the structure of your home. Garage conversions are usually protected by permitted development rights, which cover a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been removed in a number of areas by councils, especially in new builds, so it's 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. In addition, if any of the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbouring property, you will need a Party Wall Agreement. You are required to comply with all building regulations relevant to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover parts of the conversion including insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is generally a good idea to use an architect to draft technical drawings also to approve designs in order to ensure compliance with these regulations. You'll likely still need to submit plans detailing 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. The vast majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.