Planning Permission in Southampton

Planning Permission in Southampton

Planning permission is a system where local authorities can authorise 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 plan to enlarge the structure of your property. Garage conversions are often protected by permitted development rights, which protect a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been rescinded in a number of areas by local authorities, particularly in new builds, so it's always worth verifying with your local authority. If you're thinking about undertaking a garage conversion on a listed building or are in a conservation area, you will require planning permission. In addition, if the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbour, you will require a Party Wall Agreement. You must conform to all building regulations related 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 draw up technical drawings and 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 line. The vast majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.