Planning Permission in Fleet
Planning permission is a system where local authorities can consent to building works by granting permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will typically not require planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you do not plan to expand the structure of your house. Garage conversions are usually protected by permitted development rights, which protect a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been removed in a few regions by councils, particularly in new builds, so it's always worth checking with your local authority. If you're thinking about 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 neighbour, you will require a Party Wall Agreement. You are required to conform to all building regulations related to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover parts 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 technical drawings 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. The vast majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.