Planning Permission in Telford

Planning Permission in Telford

Planning permission is a system where local authorities can consent to building works by giving permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will often not require planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you don't intend to enlarge the structure of your home. Garage conversions tend to be covered under permitted development rights, which protect a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been taken away in some areas by local authorities, usually in new builds, so it's always worth verifying 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 require planning permission. Furthermore, if the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbouring property, you will need a Party Wall Agreement. You must adhere 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 often a good idea to use 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 describing 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.