Do Garden Buildings Require Planning Permission?
Garden buildings can be a great addition to your garden. Whether you’re planning to lounge in a luxury log cabin, sunbathe in a spacious summer house or grow your own garden in a glass greenhouse, it’s important to first understand the planning policies put in place.
When Will I Need Planning Permission?
There are a few general rules to adhere to if you want to start building in your garden. You will need to seek planning permission if the building you want to construct does not conform to the following restrictions:
1. Area
Planning rules say you can cover up to half of your garden. However, under building regulations, the maximum floor space your unregulated garden building is allowed to cover is 30 square metres. If your building includes another functional room such as a gym, lounge or bathroom, this may become a consideration.
2. Height
The maximum height of your building depends on its proximity to neighbouring properties. If you want your garden room less than two metres from your boundary, the maximum overall height is 2.5 metres from the highest ground next to the building, assuming you do not build a platform above 300mm. However, if you are able to build more than two metres from all boundaries, you can have:
- A maximum eaves height of 2.5 metres
- A pent roof of up to 3 metres
- A peak of an apex roof of up to 4 metres
3. Proximity
Planning rules suggest you can build as close as you like to the border between your property and your neighbour. Building regulations, however, prefer you to leave at least one metre between you and the boundary to be made from a non-combustible material. You will also need planning permission if you want your garden room to be closer to the road than the front of your house is.
4. Location
You will face restrictions if you live in a listed building, or if your house is in a national park or a conservation area.
5. Use
Your new garden room cannot be used as a self-contained living accommodation. It may not become a separate address or dwelling.
Different Garden Buildings and Their Requirements
While it is important to adhere to the general rules listed above, different garden buildings may have specific requirements which are important to adhere to.
So, what are the different garden buildings and their requirements?
Wooden Summerhouses, Log Cabins and Sheds
Wooden summerhouses, log cabins and sheds provide endless amounts of character and charm for your garden, and an opportunity to escape from the house when you need it. But what are the planning requirements needed to have these beautiful wooden buildings installed in your garden?
Size Requirements
- Wooden summerhouses, log cabins and sheds cannot exceed a maximum height of 2.5m within 2m of a boundary.
- They must not cover more than 50% of your garden
- Your log cabin / summerhouse / shed must also be single storey without verandas, balconies or raised platforms exceeding 0.3m in height
- You cannot build a log cabin further forward than the front of your original house
Roof Requirements
- Your roof may not exceed a max eaves height of 2.5m
- Your roof may not exceed an overall height of 4m for a dual pitched roof
- Your roof height may not exceed an overall height of 3m in height or any other type of roof
Residential Log Cabin
If you want to build a residential log cabin to act as an extended form of accommodation, you will need to obtain planning permission from the council. You’ll first need to apply for a building planning permit. You will then need building regulations approval.
If you adhere to all of these guidelines, building your dream log cabin or summerhouse will be attainable.
TimClad Ltd Limited provides high quality summerhouses which will add a level of attraction to your garden and a space to relax and unwind.
Greenhouses
Plants and flowers are the commanding feature of a beautiful garden and if you live in England, you know that depending on the sun to nurture your plants is a risky and often disheartening process which can leave your plants looking wilted and grey.
Installing a greenhouse into your garden brings it to life – the vibrant, healthy plants visible from all angles of the glass house.
If you are looking to add a glasshouse to your garden, it is first important to understand whether you will need to gain planning permission before you build.
Greenhouse Requirements
If you want to construct a greenhouse, this will normally be classed as a ‘permitted development’ so planning permission is not usually needed.
However, you will require planning permission where:
- You are planning on building the greenhouse in front of a garden
- The overall height of the greenhouse would exceed 4m, in the case of a building with a dual pitched roof, or 3m for any other roof
- The green house will be higher than 2.5 metres if it is within 2m of a boundary of the curtilage of the house
- More than half of the area of land around the ‘original house’ would be covered by the greenhouse
- The greenhouse is to be build in a national park, an area of outstanding beauty or a World Heritage Site
Planning permission will also be required if you plan on increasing the height or size of your existing greenhouse.
Garden Room with a Bathroom
A garden room that includes a bathroom can make lounging in your garden much more convenient.
However, some councils classify a building with a toilet as a living space, so it is important to check with your council first to find out whether you need to apply for Building Regulations.
Building regulations approval is often needed to ensure that your garden office meets health and safety standards set out by authorities. They also seek to ensure your new construction is as environmentally friendly as possible.
Whether you require a toilet, shower or basin, you will need to obtain planning permission first.
Garden Room with Cooking Facilities
A garden room with cooking facilities is a great opportunity to extend your living space, especially when having guests over.
However, you will need to follow the building regulations listed above and apply for appropriate planning permission. You will need to have electricity and plumbing for a working kitchen, so your garden house will now be classified as a dwelling rather than an ancillary building and will require planning permission.
Dog Kennels
Outdoor dog kennels can help to train your dog and teach them to behave. Dog kennels often act as a place of punishment and reflection, and eventually the dogs understand that they need to chill out and calm down in order to come out.
As long as you have an animal boarding licence that’s issued by a representative of their local council, UK residents can have dog kennels in their licence. In order to obtain one of these, you must go to the council and state that you plan on building a kennel from a private dwelling.
Different authorities have different rules on kennels, so it is worth finding out from your council what is allowed in your area.
If you have obtained permission from your council and are looking for a high quality dog kennel, TimClad Ltd provides only the highest quality dog kennels in a variety of sizes to suit all breeds of dog.
Playhouses
Playhouses are a great source of imagination for children and offer endless hours of fun and laughter. They are a popular addition for families with young children, as they not only offer a place for children to play and have fun, but they also add an element of charm and character to your garden.
If you adhere to the above guidelines then planning permission for playhouses is usually not needed.
TimClad Ltd offers a variety of playhouses in all different shapes and sizes, so that you can find the perfect playhouse for your child.
TimClad Ltd: Timber Garden Buildings, Shed Delivery and More
At TimClad Ltd, we offer a large range of high quality outdoor buildings which can add an abundance of character and charm to your garden.
Some of the garden buildings that we provide include summerhouses, dog kennels, sheds, timber workshops and more.
All of our timber is imported from reputable forests. We cut, mould and machine the timber to create the perfect hand-made style building. All our wood is Tanalised Pressure Treated which means we offer a ten year anti-rot guarantee on all of our buildings.
Not only this, but we also offer delivery services to the Yorkshire area. If you need delivery for any of your garden houses, including sheds, summerhouses etc, free delivery is available for most of Yorkshire.
For additional information or to speak to one of our helpful team today, contact us to find out more.