Planning Permission in Ballymena

Planning Permission in Ballymena

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can consent to building works by granting permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will often not need planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you don't plan to enlarge the structure of your house. Garage conversions are usually covered under permitted development rights, which cover a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been taken away in a number of areas by local authorities, especially in new builds, therefore it is always worth verifying with your local authority. If you are intending to undertake a garage conversion on a listed building or live in a conservation area, you will require planning permission. Furthermore, if any of the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbour, you must obtain a Party Wall Agreement. You will still need to abide by 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 generally a good idea to use an architect to draw up technical drawings and also 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 far less likely that there will be any trouble further down the line. The vast majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.