Planning Permission in Frome
Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can authorise building works by giving permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will usually not require planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you do not intend to expand the structure of your property. Garage conversions are usually covered under permitted development rights, which cover a variety of home improvement work. However, these rights have been rescinded in some locations by local authorities, particularly in new builds, therefore it is always worth verifying with your local authority.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 the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbouring property, you will require a Party Wall Agreement. You must conform to all building regulations pertaining 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 often a good idea to use an architect to draw up plans and 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 line. The vast majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.
