Planning Permission in Trimdon Station
Planning permission is a system where local authorities can agree to building works by granting permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will typically 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 often covered under permitted development rights, which cover a variety of home improvement work. However, these rights have been removed in certain regions by councils, usually in new builds, therefore it is always worth verifying with your local authority. If you're thinking about undertaking a garage conversion on a listed building or live in a conservation area, you will need planning permission. Furthermore, if the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbour, you must obtain a Party Wall Agreement. You are required 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 including insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is usually a good idea to use an architect to draft plans also 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 considered from the start of the project, it is much less likely that there will be any trouble further down the road. The majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.