Planning Permission in Winchester

Planning Permission in Winchester

Planning permission is a system where local authorities can agree 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 enlarge the structure of your property. Garage conversions tend to be protected by permitted development rights, which cover a variety of home improvement work. However, these rights have been taken away in a number of regions by councils, usually in new builds, so it's always worth checking with your local authority. If you're considering undertaking a garage conversion on a listed building or live in a conservation area, you will require planning permission. Furthermore, if any of the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbouring property, 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 parts of the conversion such as insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is generally a good idea to use 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 considered from the start of the project, it is far less likely that there will be any trouble further down the road. Nearly all planning permission applications in England are approved.