Planning Permission in St Albans

Planning Permission in St Albans

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can agree to building works by giving permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will often not need planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you do not intend to enlarge the structure of the property. Garage conversions are usually protected by permitted development rights, which protect a variety of home improvement work. However, these rights have been rescinded in certain regions by councils, especially in new builds, so it's always worth verifying with your local authority. If you're planning to undertake a garage conversion on a listed building or live in a conservation area, you will need 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 are required to adhere to all building regulations pertaining 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 far less likely that there will be any trouble further down the road. The majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.