Planning Permission in Leigh
Planning permission is a system where local authorities can agree to building works by giving permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will mostly not require planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you do not intend to expand the structure of your home. Garage conversions are often covered under permitted development rights, which protect a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been removed in a number of regions by councils, especially 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 live in a conservation area, you will require planning permission. Furthermore, if any of the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbouring property, you must obtain a Party Wall Agreement. You will still need to adhere to all building regulations pertaining 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 work with an architect to draw up plans and 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 considered 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.