Planning Permission in Kirkliston
Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can authorise building works by granting permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will mostly not require planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you don't intend to enlarge the structure of your home. Garage conversions are often covered under permitted development rights, which cover a variety of home improvement work. However, these rights have been rescinded in certain areas by councils, usually in new builds, so it's always worth verifying with your local authority.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 must obtain a Party Wall Agreement. You must adhere to all building regulations corresponding to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover parts of the conversion like insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is usually a good idea to use an architect to draft plans and also to approve designs in order to ensure compliance with these regulations. You will 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. Nearly all planning permission applications in England are approved.
