Planning Permission in Stirlingshire

Planning Permission in Stirlingshire

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can agree to building works by granting permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will mostly not require planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you do not intend to expand the structure of your home. Garage conversions tend to be protected by permitted development rights, which protect a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been removed in some regions by local authorities, especially in new builds, so it's always worth checking with your local authority. If you are intending to undertake a garage conversion on a listed building or live in a conservation area, you will require planning permission. Furthermore, if the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbouring property, you will require a Party Wall Agreement. You will still need to conform to all building regulations related to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover aspects of the conversion like insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is generally a good idea to utilise 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 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. Nearly all planning permission applications in England are approved.