Planning Permission in Montgomery
Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can authorise building works by giving permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will typically not require planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you do not plan to enlarge the structure of your home. Garage conversions tend to be protected by permitted development rights, which protect a variety of home improvement work. However, these rights have been taken away in some locations by councils, especially in new builds, so it's always worth verifying 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 need planning permission. Furthermore, if the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbouring property, you will need a Party Wall Agreement. You are required to abide by all building regulations related 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 often a good idea to work with an architect to draw up technical drawings and 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 much less likely that there will be any trouble further down the line. Nearly all planning permission applications in England are approved.
