Planning For Bespoke Garden Buildings

Below is a guide outlining the general consideration one should understand regards planning for garden buildings.

Class E

The provision within the curtilage of the dwellinghouse of:

1. Any building or enclosure, swimming or other pool required for a purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the dwelling house as such, or the maintenance, improvement or other alteration of such a building or enclosure; or
2. a container used for domestic heating purposes for the storage of oil or liquid petroleum gas.

Summary

Outbuildings

Outbuildings are considered to be permitted development, not requiring an application for planning permission, provided all the conditions are met.

1. On designated land* out buildings to the side of the house are not permitted development.
2. Outbuildings are not permitted development within the curtilage of a listed building. Planning permission required.
3. In National Parks, The Broads, Areas of Outstanding Beauty and World Heritage Sites the total area to be covered by any outbuildings more than 20 metres from ANY WALL of the house must not exceed 10 square metres to be permitted development.
4. Outbuildings are not permitted development forward of the principle elevation of the original house. [The term original house means the house as it was first built or as it stood on 1 July 1948 (If it was built before that date).]
5. Outbuildings and other additions must not exceed 50% of the total area of land around the original house. Sheds and all other outbuildings and extensions to the original house must be included when calculating this 50% limit.
6. To be permitted development, any new building must not itself be separate, self contained, living accommodation and must not have a microwave antenna.
7. Outbuildings must be single storey with a maximum eaves height of 2.5 metres and maximum overall height of 4 metres with a dual pitch roof, or 3 metres in any other case.
8. If the outbuilding is within 2 metres of the property boundary the whole building should not exceed 2.5 metres in height.
9. Balconies and verandas are not permitted development. Raised platforms such as decking are permitted development provided they are no higher than 300mm.

* Designated land includes National Parks and The Broads, Areas of Outstanding Beauty, Conservation Areas and World Heritage Sites.

Important Notice

The permitted development allowances described here apply to houses, not flats, maisonettes or other buildings. You should check with your local Planning Authority whether permitted development rights apply. Other consents may be required if your house is listed or in a designated area. This guidance relates to the planning regime for England.

Disclaimer

Users should note that this is an introductory guide and is not a definitive source of legal information. You should always contact your local planning authority if in doubt before undertaking any development and or purchase of a given garden building. Here's a good place to start... Planning Portal