Planning Permission in West Glamorgan

Planning Permission in West Glamorgan

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can authorise building works by giving permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will typically not need planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you don't plan to expand the structure of your property. Garage conversions are usually protected by permitted development rights, which cover a variety of home improvement work. However, these rights have been taken away in some regions by local authorities, especially in new builds, therefore it is always worth verifying with your local authority. If you're planning to undertake 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 are required to abide by all building regulations relevant to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover elements of the conversion including insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is often a good idea to utilise an architect to draft plans and 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 road. Nearly all planning permission applications in England are approved.