Planning Permission & Building Regulations
Generally speaking a garden building of less than 30m2 does not have to meet any regulations, but anything over that is subject to planning and / or building regulations.
The vast majority of our garden buildings do not require planning permission, but should this be necessary we are happy to help you through the process.
From October 2008, the rules governing outbuildings now apply to sheds, greenhouses and garages, as well as other ancillary garden buildings such as swimming pools, cabins, saunas, kennels, and other kinds of structure constructed for a purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the principal dwelling.
Under these regulations there is a general presumption for an outbuilding to be a permitted development, (not needing planning permission), subject to the following limits and conditions:
- The building or structure is to be used for purposes ancillary to domestic used. If the outbuilding is to be used for commercial purposes, eg. parking a commercial vehicle, running a business or storing goods in connection with a business then planning permission must be obtained.
- Outbuilding does not protrude forward of the front elevation of the principal dwelling facing a highway.
- Outbuildings and garages to be single story with maximum eaves height of 2.5m and an overall ridge height of less than 4m on a traditional dual pitched roof, ( 3m for any other style of roof). *
- If outbuilding stands within 2m of the properties boundaries, then the overall height of the development must be below 2.5m. *
- No verandahs, balconies or raised platforms are permitted.
- No more than half of the area of land around the “original house” would be covered by extensions or other buildings. #
- In National Parks, The Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and World HeritageSites, the maximum area that can be covered by extension and outbuilding development is limited to 10m2 .
- Within the cartilage of Listed Buildings or in a designated Conservation Areas, all outbuildings will need planning permission.
*Heights are measured from highest ground level adjacent to outbuilding
