Planning Permission in St Bees

Planning Permission in St Bees

Planning permission is a system where local authorities can agree to building works by giving permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will usually not require planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you don't plan to expand the structure of your property. Garage conversions tend to be covered under permitted development rights, which cover a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been taken away in some regions by local authorities, especially in new builds, therefore it is always worth checking with your local authority. If you are planning to undertake a garage conversion on a listed building or are in a conservation area, you will need planning permission. Furthermore, if the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbour, you must obtain a Party Wall Agreement. You will still need 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 such as insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is often a good idea to work with an architect to draft technical drawings 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 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 vast majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.