Planning Permission in Accrington
Planning permission is a system where local authorities can authorise building works by giving permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will typically not require planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you don't plan to expand the structure of your house. Garage conversions are usually protected by permitted development rights, which cover a variety of home improvement work. However, these rights have been removed in a number of regions by local authorities, particularly in new builds, so it's always worth verifying with your local authority. If you are thinking about undertaking a garage conversion on a listed building or are 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 will need a Party Wall Agreement. You will still need 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 like insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is often a good idea to use an architect to draw up 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 majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.