Planning Permission in Lutterworth
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 need planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you do not plan to enlarge the structure of your house. Garage conversions are often covered under permitted development rights, which cover a variety of home improvement work. However, these rights have been rescinded in a few areas by councils, usually in new builds, so it's always worth checking with your local authority. If you are planning 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 neighbour, you will require a Party Wall Agreement. You are required to conform 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 generally a good idea to utilise an architect to draft plans 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 considered from the start of the project, it is far less likely that there will be any trouble further down the road. The vast majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.