Planning Permission in South Croydon
Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can agree to building works by giving permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will typically not need planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you do not intend to enlarge the structure of your home. Garage conversions are usually covered under permitted development rights, which cover a variety of home improvement work. However, these rights have been removed in certain regions by local authorities, particularly in new builds, so it's always worth verifying with your local authority. If you are intending 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 require a Party Wall Agreement. You will still need to adhere to all building regulations relevant to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover elements of the conversion including insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is usually 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 describing 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.
