Planning Permission in Winkleigh
Planning permission is a system where local authorities can agree to building works by giving permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will mostly not need planning permission, as long as the work is internal and you don't plan to enlarge the structure of your property. Garage conversions are usually protected by permitted development rights, which cover a variety of home improvement work. However, these rights have been removed in a number of areas by councils, especially in new builds, so it is always worth checking with your local authority. If you're planning to undertake 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 neighbouring property, you must obtain a Party Wall Agreement. You are required to comply with all building regulations relevant 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 often a good idea to utilise an architect to draw up technical drawings and 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 taken into account 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.
