Planning Permission in Watford

Planning Permission in Watford

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can authorise building works by granting permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will mostly not need planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you do not intend to expand the structure of your property. Garage conversions tend to be protected by permitted development rights, which protect a variety of home improvement work. However, these rights have been taken away in certain regions by councils, particularly in new builds, therefore it is always worth checking with your local authority. If you are intending on undertaking a garage conversion on a listed building or live in a conservation area, you will require planning permission. In addition, if any of the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbour, you must obtain a Party Wall Agreement. You will still need to comply with all building regulations relevant to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover aspects of the conversion including insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is generally 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 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.