Planning Permission in Southam
Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can consent to building works by granting permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will often not need planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you don't intend to enlarge the structure of your property. Garage conversions are often covered under permitted development rights, which cover a variety of home improvement work. However, these rights have been removed in a number of areas by local authorities, especially in new builds, so it's always worth checking 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 require planning permission. Furthermore, if the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbouring property, you will require a Party Wall Agreement. You must conform to all building regulations pertaining 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 utilise an architect to draw up plans and to approve designs in order to ensure compliance with these regulations. You will 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 much less likely that there will be any trouble further down the road. Nearly all planning permission applications in England are approved.
