Planning Permission in Outer Hebrides

Planning Permission in Outer Hebrides

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can consent 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 usually covered under permitted development rights, which cover a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been rescinded in some regions by local authorities, especially in new builds, so it is always worth verifying with your local authority. If you are thinking about undertaking a garage conversion on a listed building or are in a conservation area, you will need planning permission. In addition, if any of the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbour, you will require a Party Wall Agreement. You are required to abide by all building regulations pertaining to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover parts of the conversion such as insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is often a good idea to utilise 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 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 much less likely that there will be any trouble further down the line. Nearly all planning permission applications in England are approved.