Planning Permission in Wareham

Planning Permission in Wareham

Planning permission is a system where local authorities can consent to building works by giving permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will mostly not require planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you don't plan to expand the structure of your house. Garage conversions are often covered under permitted development rights, which cover a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been removed in certain regions by councils, usually in new builds, so it's always worth verifying with your local authority. If you are thinking about undertaking a garage conversion on a listed building or are in a conservation area, you will require planning permission. In addition, if the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbouring property, you will need a Party Wall Agreement. You will still need to conform 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 generally a good idea to utilise an architect to draft technical drawings 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 taken into account from the start of the project, it is much less likely that there will be any trouble further down the line. Nearly all planning permission applications in England are approved.