Planning Permission in Polegate
Planning permission is a system where local authorities can consent to building works by granting permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will mostly not need planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you don't plan to enlarge the structure of your home. Garage conversions are often protected by permitted development rights, which protect a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been taken away in some regions by councils, especially in new builds, so it's 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 require planning permission. Furthermore, if any of the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbour, you will require a Party Wall Agreement. You will still need to adhere to all building regulations corresponding to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover elements of the conversion such as insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is usually a good idea to work with an architect to draw up technical drawings and also to 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 taken into account 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.
