Planning Permission in Rutland

Planning Permission in Rutland

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can agree to building works by granting permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will mostly not need 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 removed in a number of locations by local authorities, particularly in new builds, so it's always worth checking with your local authority. If you are planning to undertake a garage conversion on a listed building or are 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 conform to all building regulations corresponding to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover elements of the conversion like insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is generally a good idea to work with 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 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.