Planning Permission in Wickford

Planning Permission in Wickford

Planning permission is a system where local authorities can agree to building works by granting permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will usually not require planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you don't plan 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 some areas by councils, particularly in new builds, therefore it is always worth verifying with your local authority. If you're preparing to undertake 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 neighbouring property, you must obtain a Party Wall Agreement. You must conform to all building regulations relevant 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 work with an architect to draw up 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 road. The majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.