Planning Permission in Drybrook

Planning Permission in Drybrook

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can authorise building works by granting permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will often not need planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you do not plan to enlarge the structure of your house. 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 a number of areas by councils, especially in new builds, so it's always worth verifying with your local authority. If you are considering undertaking a garage conversion on a listed building or are in a conservation area, you will require planning permission. In addition, if the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbouring property, you will need a Party Wall Agreement. You must abide by all building regulations pertaining 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 often a good idea to use an architect to draft plans and 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 taken into account 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.