Planning Permission in Seaford

Planning Permission in Seaford

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can authorise building works by giving permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will mostly not require planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you don't intend to expand the structure of your house. Garage conversions are often covered under permitted development rights, which cover a variety of home improvement work. However, these rights have been taken away in a number of regions by local authorities, 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 require planning permission. Furthermore, if the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbouring property, you will need a Party Wall Agreement. You must conform to all building regulations relevant to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover elements of the conversion including insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is generally a good idea to use an architect to draft plans and approve designs in order to ensure compliance with these regulations. You will 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 road. The majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.