Planning Permission in Woodford Green

Planning Permission in Woodford Green

Planning permission is a system where local authorities can consent to building works by granting permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will mostly not need planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you don't intend to expand the structure of your home. Garage conversions are usually protected by permitted development rights, which cover a variety of home improvement work. However, these rights have been rescinded in some areas by local authorities, especially in new builds, so it's always worth verifying with your local authority.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 must obtain a Party Wall Agreement. You must 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 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 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 taken into account from the start of the project, it is much less likely that there will be any trouble further down the line. Nearly all planning permission applications in England are approved.