Planning Permission in Swansea

Planning Permission in Swansea

Planning permission is a system where local authorities can agree to building works by granting permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will usually not require planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you don't intend to enlarge the structure of your house. Garage conversions are often covered under permitted development rights, which protect a variety of home improvement work. However, these rights have been rescinded in certain locations by local authorities, especially in new builds, so it's always worth verifying with your local authority. If you're considering undertaking a garage conversion on a listed building or live 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 abide by all building regulations related to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover parts of the conversion like insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is usually a good idea to utilise 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 taken into account from the start of the project, it is far less likely that there will be any trouble further down the line. Nearly all planning permission applications in England are approved.