Planning Permission in Romford

Planning Permission in Romford

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can agree 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 do not plan to enlarge the structure of your property. Garage conversions are often protected by permitted development rights, which cover a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been taken away in a number of locations by councils, especially in new builds, therefore it is always worth verifying with your local authority. If you are intending to undertake a garage conversion on a listed building or live in a conservation area, you will need planning permission. Furthermore, if any of the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbouring property, you must obtain a Party Wall Agreement. You must comply with all building regulations corresponding 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 usually a good idea to use an architect to draw up technical drawings and 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 considered from the start of the project, it is much less likely that there will be any trouble further down the road. The majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.