Planning Permission in Shetland Islands

Planning Permission in Shetland Islands

Planning permission is a system where local authorities can authorise building works by giving permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will mostly not require planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you do not plan to expand the structure of your home. Garage conversions are often covered under permitted development rights, which protect a variety of home improvement work. However, these rights have been rescinded in a number of locations by councils, particularly in new builds, so it is always worth verifying with your local authority. If you're thinking about undertaking a garage conversion on a listed building or live in a conservation area, you will require planning permission. Furthermore, if any of the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbour, you must obtain a Party Wall Agreement. You must comply with all building regulations pertaining to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover elements of the conversion such as insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is often a good idea to use an architect to draft plans and to 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 considered from the start of the project, it is far less likely that there will be any trouble further down the line. The vast majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.