Planning Permission in Devizes

Planning Permission in Devizes

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can authorise building works by granting permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will often not require planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you don't plan to enlarge the structure of your property. Garage conversions tend to be covered under permitted development rights, which cover a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been rescinded in some locations by local authorities, especially in new builds, therefore it is always worth checking with your local authority.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 need planning permission. Furthermore, if any of the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbour, you will need 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 elements of the conversion such as insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is generally a good idea to work with an architect to draft plans also to 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 taken into account from the start of the project, it is much less likely that there will be any trouble further down the road. Nearly all planning permission applications in England are approved.