Planning Permission in Torrington

Planning Permission in Torrington

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can authorise building works by granting permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will mostly not require planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you do not plan to expand the structure of your house. Garage conversions are usually protected by permitted development rights, which protect a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been rescinded in a few locations by local authorities, usually in new builds, so it's always worth checking with your local authority. If you are thinking about undertaking a garage conversion on a listed building or are in a conservation area, you will need planning permission. Furthermore, if any of the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbouring property, you will require a Party Wall Agreement. You will still need to adhere to all building regulations pertaining to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover parts of the conversion such as insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is generally a good idea to work with an architect to draw up plans and 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 considered from the start of the project, it is far less likely that there will be any trouble further down the line. The vast majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.