Planning Permission in Sanquhar
Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can agree to building works by granting permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will usually not require planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you do not plan to enlarge the structure of your house. Garage conversions are often protected by permitted development rights, which cover a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been rescinded in some locations by local authorities, usually in new builds, so it's always worth checking with your local authority. If you're preparing to undertake a garage conversion on a listed building or are in a conservation area, you will need planning permission. Furthermore, if the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbour, you will need a Party Wall Agreement. You must abide by all building regulations relevant 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 usually a good idea to work with an architect to draw up technical drawings and 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 considered from the start of the project, it is much less likely that there will be any trouble further down the road. Nearly all planning permission applications in England are approved.