Planning Permission in Leyland
Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can agree to building works by granting permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will usually not need planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you do not plan to expand the structure of your house. Garage conversions tend to be protected by permitted development rights, which protect a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been removed in a number of locations by local authorities, particularly in new builds, so it is always worth checking with your local authority. If you're intending to undertake a garage conversion on a listed building or live in a conservation area, you will need planning permission. Furthermore, if any of the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbour, you will need a Party Wall Agreement. You will still need to adhere to all building regulations relevant to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover aspects of the conversion including insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is generally a good idea to work with an architect to draw up plans and 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. Nearly all planning permission applications in England are approved.
