Planning Permission in Sale
Planning permission is a system where local authorities can authorise building works by granting permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will typically not require planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you don't intend to expand the structure of your house. Garage conversions tend to be covered under permitted development rights, which protect a variety of home improvement work. However, these rights have been rescinded in a few regions by local authorities, particularly in new builds, so it's always worth verifying with your local authority.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 live 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 comply with all building regulations relevant 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 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.