DO I NEED PLANNING
?
The house you have sweated to buy may yours, all yours- but that
doesn't mean you can do anything and everything you want with
it. The country's planning procedures control what can be built,
for generally accepted good reason s. for the same good reasons,
there are controls in place as to what changes can be made to
existing built structure during renovations, modernisation or
extension. There are levels of control on how buildings can be
adapted, ranging from loose - e.g. internal alterations in the
average home - to tight, such as making significant physical alterations
to protected structures. In this latter category, controls can
apply rigorously to the whole building, internally and externally.
Exemptions from controls are made for practical
reasons, so as to allow house owners reasonable latitude, and
to prevent the system snarling up with unnecessary applications
and procedures for minor changes. These exemptions are detailed
in planning law, and generally set thresholds - e.g. size or height
- above which planning permission is needed.
It makes senses if
and when making changes to standard house plans and layout/fit-out
to be aware of good building practice: common sense on issues
of health and safely would alone dictate this, and resaleability
of a house may often come down to compliance with building codes
and regulations. All new buildings, extensions, alterations and
even certain changes of use existing building must comply with
current building regulations. The onus is on you to make sure
changes meet the relevant standards.
Planning regulations state that you need planning permission when
making 'material", i.e. significant changes to your house and
these changes can include building, alteration and demolition.
Planners will interpret change as being of a significant or substantial
nature when it has an impact, or petential impact, on the neighbours
or the local community. This interpretation of neighbours can
include an entire terrace, if the change you propose making cange
the character of the terrace. If you are in doubt as to whether
or not the works you want to carry out are exempted, it is wise
to first check with the local planning authorithy. If you feel
you have grounds to disagree with their ruling/interpretation,
the matter can be referred to a bord pleanala.
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