Planning Permission in Yarm
Planning permission is a system whereby local authorities can consent to building works by granting permission for the proposed work. Garage conversions will mostly not require planning permission, so long as the work is internal and you don't intend to enlarge the structure of your property. Garage conversions are usually protected by permitted development rights, which cover a number of home improvement work. However, these rights have been removed in a number of locations by councils, particularly in new builds, so it is always worth checking with your local authority. If you are intending to undertake a garage conversion on a listed building or live in a conservation area, you will require planning permission. In addition, if any of the walls of your garage are shared walls with a neighbour, you must obtain a Party Wall Agreement. You must 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 such as insulation, escape routes, fire proofing and ventilation, so it is often a good idea to work with an architect to draw up plans 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 considered from the start of the project, it is much less likely that there will be any trouble further down the road. Nearly all planning permission applications in England are approved.