Planning Permission in Wokingham

Planning Permission in Wokingham

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can consent to building works by granting permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will mostly not need planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you don't intend to enlarge the structure of your home. Garage conversions are usually covered under permitted development rights, which protect a variety of home improvement work. However, these rights have been rescinded in a number of locations by councils, particularly in new builds, so it is always worth checking with your local authority. If you are planning to undertake a garage conversion on a listed building or live in a conservation area, you will need 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 will still need to comply with all building regulations related 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 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 far less likely that there will be any trouble further down the line. The vast majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.