Planning Permission in South Queensferry
Planning permission is a system where local authorities can authorise building works by giving permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will often not need planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you do not intend to expand the structure of your home. Garage conversions tend to be covered under permitted development rights, which cover a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been taken away in a number of regions by local authorities, usually in new builds, so it's always worth verifying with your local authority. If you're intending to undertake a garage conversion on a listed building or are in a conservation area, you will require planning permission. In addition, if any of the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbouring property, you will require a Party Wall Agreement. You must comply with all building regulations relevant to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover aspects 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 draft technical drawings and to 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 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.
