Planning Permission in Shefford

Planning Permission in Shefford

Planning permission is a system where local authorities can authorise building works by giving permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will typically not need planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you don't plan to enlarge the structure of your house. Garage conversions tend to be protected by permitted development rights, which protect a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been rescinded in a number of regions by councils, particularly in new builds, therefore it is always worth verifying with your local authority. If you're intending on undertaking a garage conversion on a listed building or live in a conservation area, you will need planning permission. In addition, if any of the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbour, you must obtain a Party Wall Agreement. You must abide by all building regulations relevant 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 work with an architect to draw up technical drawings and to approve designs in order to ensure compliance with these regulations. You'll 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 road. The majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.