Planning Permission in Brentwood
Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can agree to building works by granting permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will typically not require planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you do not plan to enlarge the structure of the property. Garage conversions are usually 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, therefore it is always worth verifying with your local authority. If you're intending on undertaking a garage conversion on a listed building or are in a conservation area, you will need planning permission. Furthermore, if the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbouring property, you will need a Party Wall Agreement. You are required to comply with all building regulations relevant to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover aspects of the conversion such as insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is usually 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 detailing the change of use of the garage to your local authority. If planning permission is considered 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.
