Planning Permission in Montacute

Planning Permission in Montacute

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can consent to building works by granting permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will often not require planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you don't plan to enlarge the structure of your home. Garage conversions are usually covered under permitted development rights, which protect a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been removed in a few regions by councils, especially in new builds, so it is always worth checking with your local authority. If you are considering undertaking a garage conversion on a listed building or are in a conservation area, you will require planning permission. Furthermore, if any of the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbour, you must obtain a Party Wall Agreement. You will still need to comply with all building regulations related 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 use an architect to draft plans and to 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 considered from the start of the project, it is much less likely that there will be any trouble further down the line. The majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.