Planning Permission in Ty Croes
Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can authorise building works by giving permission for the planned work. Garage conversions will mostly not require planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you do not intend to enlarge the structure of the property. Garage conversions are usually covered under permitted development rights, which protect a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been removed in some areas by councils, usually in new builds, therefore it is always worth verifying with your local authority. If you're planning to undertake 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 will require a Party Wall Agreement. You must adhere to all building regulations relevant 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 often a good idea to work with an architect to draft technical drawings and also to 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 taken into account from the start of the project, it is much less likely that there will be any trouble further down the road. The vast majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.
