Planning Permission in Windlesham

Planning Permission in Windlesham

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can authorise building works by granting permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will usually not need planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you don't intend to expand the structure of your property. Garage conversions tend to be protected by permitted development rights, which protect a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been removed in a few regions by councils, particularly 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 are 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 will require a Party Wall Agreement. You must abide by all building regulations relevant 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 usually a good idea to utilise an architect to draw up plans and also to approve designs in order to ensure compliance with these regulations. You'll 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. The vast majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.