Planning Permission in Gordon

Planning Permission in Gordon

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can consent to building works by giving permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will often not require 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 covered under permitted development rights, which protect a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been rescinded in a few locations by councils, especially in new builds, therefore it is always worth checking with your local authority. If you are preparing to undertake a garage conversion on a listed building or are in a conservation area, you will require planning permission. Furthermore, if the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbouring property, you will need a Party Wall Agreement. You will still need to comply with all building regulations pertaining 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 generally a good idea to utilise 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 detailing 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 majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.