Planning Permission in Truro
Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can consent to building works by giving permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will often not require planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you don't intend to enlarge the structure of your house. Garage conversions tend to be covered under permitted development rights, which protect a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been rescinded in a few areas by councils, particularly in new builds, therefore it is always worth verifying with your local authority.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 require planning permission. In addition, if the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbour, you will need a Party Wall Agreement. You are required to abide by all building regulations related to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover parts of the conversion like insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is usually a good idea to utilise an architect to draft plans and to approve designs in order to ensure compliance with these regulations. You'll 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. Nearly all planning permission applications in England are approved.
