Planning Permission in Golspie
Planning permission is a system where local authorities can authorise building works by giving permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will often not require planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you do not intend to enlarge 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 removed in a number of areas by local authorities, particularly in new builds, therefore it is always worth verifying with your local authority. If you're preparing to undertake 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 require a Party Wall Agreement. You are required to adhere to all building regulations corresponding to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover aspects of the conversion such as insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is often a good idea to work with an architect to draft plans and to 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 line. The vast majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.
