Planning Permission in Shipston-on-stour
Planning permission is a system where local authorities can authorise building works by giving 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 home. Garage conversions are usually protected by permitted development rights, which protect a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been rescinded in certain regions by local authorities, usually in new builds, so it is always worth verifying with your local authority. If you are planning to undertake a garage conversion on a listed building or live in a conservation area, you will need planning permission. Furthermore, if any of the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbour, you must obtain a Party Wall Agreement. You are required to conform 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 generally a good idea to use an architect to draft technical drawings also to 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 far less likely that there will be any trouble further down the line. The majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.