Planning Permission in Whitehaven

Planning Permission in Whitehaven

Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can consent to building works by giving 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 home. Garage conversions tend to be protected by permitted development rights, which protect a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been taken away in certain regions by councils, particularly in new builds, so it's always worth verifying with your local authority. If you are thinking about undertaking 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 comply with all building regulations related to your garage conversion whether or not you need planning permission. These building regulations cover elements of the conversion including insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is generally a good idea to use an architect to draw up technical drawings also to approve designs in order to ensure compliance with these regulations. You'll 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. The majority of planning permission applications in England are approved.