Planning Permission in Camberley
Planning permission is a system where local authorities can authorise building works by granting permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will mostly not need planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you don't plan to enlarge the structure of your house. Garage conversions are often covered under permitted development rights, which cover a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been taken away in a number of regions by councils, particularly in new builds, so it is always worth verifying with your local authority. If you are preparing to undertake a garage conversion on a listed building or live in a conservation area, you will need planning permission. Furthermore, 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 comply with 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 often a good idea to use an architect to draft technical drawings and approve designs in order to ensure compliance with these regulations. You'll 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 line. Nearly all planning permission applications in England are approved.