Planning Permission in Callington

Planning Permission in Callington

Planning permission is a system where local authorities can consent to building works by giving permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will typically not need planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you do not plan to enlarge the structure of your home. Garage conversions tend to be protected by permitted development rights, which cover a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been removed in certain areas by councils, especially in new builds, so 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 must conform to all building regulations pertaining 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 often a good idea to utilise an architect to draft plans 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 considered from the start of the project, it is far less likely that there will be any trouble further down the road. The vast majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.