Planning Permission in Preston

Planning Permission in Preston

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can consent to building works by giving permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will usually not need planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you don't intend to enlarge 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 However, these rights have been rescinded in some regions by councils, especially in new builds, so it's always worth checking with your local authority.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 are 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 abide by all building regulations related 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 usually a good idea to use an architect to draft plans and also to 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 much less likely that there will be any trouble further down the road. The vast majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.