Planning Permission in West Byfleet

Planning Permission in West Byfleet

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can agree to building works by granting permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will mostly not require planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you don't intend to enlarge the structure of your property. Garage conversions are often covered under permitted development rights, which cover a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been taken away in a number of locations by councils, especially in new builds, so it's always worth verifying with your local authority. If you are preparing to undertake 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 neighbour, you must obtain a Party Wall Agreement. You are required to adhere to all building regulations related to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover elements of the conversion like insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is generally a good idea to utilise 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 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.