Planning Permission in Woking

Planning Permission in Woking

Planning permission is a system where local authorities can consent to building works by giving permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will usually not require planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you don't intend to enlarge the structure of your property. Garage conversions tend to be covered under permitted development rights, which protect a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been removed in a number of regions by councils, usually in new builds, therefore it is always worth verifying with your local authority. If you are considering undertaking a garage conversion on a listed building or live in a conservation area, you will require planning permission. Furthermore, if the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbouring property, you will need a Party Wall Agreement. You must comply with all building regulations relevant to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover parts of the conversion including insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is often a good idea to use an architect to draft technical drawings and 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 line. The majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.