Planning Permission in Banbury
Planning permission is a system where local authorities can agree to building works by giving permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will typically not require planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you do not intend to expand the structure of your property. Garage conversions are often covered under permitted development rights, which cover a variety of home improvement work. However, these rights have been removed in some regions by local authorities, especially in new builds, so it's always worth verifying with your local authority. If you're intending on undertaking 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 will require a Party Wall Agreement. You must adhere to all building regulations relevant 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 generally a good idea to use an architect to draw up plans and also to approve designs in order to ensure compliance with these regulations. You will likely still need to submit plans detailing 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.
