Planning Permission in Fareham
Planning permission is a system where local authorities can agree to building works by giving permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will usually not require planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you do not intend to expand the structure of your property. Garage conversions are often covered under permitted development rights, which cover a variety of home improvement work. However, these rights have been rescinded in a few areas by local authorities, usually in new builds, so it is always worth verifying with your local authority. If you're intending on undertaking a garage conversion on a listed building or are in a conservation area, you will require planning permission. In addition, if any of the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbour, you must obtain a Party Wall Agreement. You must comply with all building regulations related to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover parts of the conversion including insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is usually a good idea to work with an architect to draw up technical drawings and 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 far less likely that there will be any trouble further down the road. Nearly all planning permission applications in England are approved.