Planning Permission in Blackburn

Planning Permission in Blackburn

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can agree to building works by granting permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will usually not require planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you do not plan to enlarge the structure of your house. Garage conversions are often covered under permitted development rights, which cover a variety of home improvement work. However, these rights have been rescinded in a few regions by councils, usually in new builds, so it's always worth verifying with your local authority. If you're intending to undertake a garage conversion on a listed building or are in a conservation area, you will need planning permission. In addition, if the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbouring property, you must obtain a Party Wall Agreement. You will still need to 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 utilise an architect to draft technical drawings also to 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 much less likely that there will be any trouble further down the line. The vast majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.