Planning Permission in Scotland

Planning Permission in Scotland

Planning permission is a system where local authorities can agree to building works by granting permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will often not need planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you do not plan to enlarge the structure of your home. Garage conversions are usually covered under permitted development rights, which protect a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been taken away in a few areas by councils, especially in new builds, therefore it is always worth verifying with your local authority. If you are planning to undertake a garage conversion on a listed building or live in a conservation area, you will need planning permission. In addition, if the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbour, you will require a Party Wall Agreement. You are required to comply with 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 often 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 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 much less likely that there will be any trouble further down the line. Nearly all planning permission applications in England are approved.