Planning Permission in Purley

Planning Permission in Purley

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 require planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you do not intend to enlarge the structure of your house. Garage conversions are usually protected by permitted development rights, which cover a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been taken away in certain regions by councils, particularly 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 need 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 will still need to adhere to all building regulations relevant to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover aspects 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 considered from the start of the project, it is much less likely that there will be any trouble further down the line. The majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.