Planning Permission in Borehamwood
Planning permission is a system where local authorities can authorise building works by granting permission for the proposed 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 covered under permitted development rights, which protect a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been rescinded in a number of regions by councils, usually in new builds, so it is always worth verifying with your local authority. If you're considering undertaking a garage conversion on a listed building or live in a conservation area, you will require planning permission. In addition, if any of the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbouring property, you must obtain a Party Wall Agreement. You will still need to conform to all building regulations related to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover aspects of the conversion including insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is usually a good idea to work with an architect to draft plans and 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 far less likely that there will be any trouble further down the road. The majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.
