Planning Permission in Chorley
Planning permission is a system where local authorities can agree to building works by giving permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will usually not require planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you do not plan to enlarge the structure of your property. Garage conversions are usually covered under permitted development rights, which protect a variety of home improvement work. However, these rights have been taken away in some locations by councils, especially in new builds, therefore it is always worth verifying with your local authority. If you are thinking about undertaking a garage conversion on a listed building or live in a conservation area, you will require planning permission. In addition, if the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbour, you will require a Party Wall Agreement. You must comply with all building regulations pertaining to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover aspects of the conversion like insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is often a good idea to use an architect to draw up 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 considered from the start of the project, it is much less likely that there will be any trouble further down the road. The majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.
