Spring has arrived and summer is fast approaching. As the weather warms up, many of us will be eager to venture outdoors and make the most of our gardens.
It’s only natural to start considering a tidy-up, making alterations, or perhaps undertaking something more significant, such as installing a new shed, summer house, or play area for the children. However, before you begin, it’s vital to understand what is and isn’t permitted and what can be undertaken without requiring planning permission.
According to Planning Portal, a joint venture between TerraQuest Solutions Limited and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, an outbuilding encompasses items like sheds, playhouses, greenhouses and garages alongside other garden structures such as swimming pools, ponds, sauna cabins, kennels, enclosures – including tennis courts – and numerous other types of buildings “for a purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the dwellinghouse”. In essence, this refers to leisure-related structures.
Such structures are typically classified as “permitted development” and don’t require planning permission. There are certain restrictions to this, though, and it’s always advisable to verify with your local council if you’re uncertain.
View 3 ImagesThere are rules to be aware of(Image: aire images via Getty Images)
Permitted development is likely to cover the overwhelming majority of installations that householders might wish to place in their garden. Nevertheless, there are exceptions. Firstly, no outbuilding is permitted on land forward of a wall forming the principal elevation of a property – that is, the front of your home. Outbuildings and garages must be single-storey, with a maximum eaves height of 2.5m and a maximum overall height of 4m with a dual-pitched roof, or 3m for any other roof type.
A maximum height of 2.5m is permitted for any building, enclosure or container situated within 2m of a boundary of the curtilage of the main dwelling. Verandas, balconies or raised platforms are not permitted – a platform must not exceed 0.3 metres in height.
No more than half the area of land surrounding the “original house” can be covered by additions or other buildings. In National Parks, the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and World Heritage Sites, the maximum area covered by buildings, enclosures, containers and pools more than 20m from the house is restricted to 10sqm.
On designated land, buildings, enclosures, containers and pools positioned at the side of properties will require planning permission. Within the curtilage of listed buildings, any outbuilding will require planning permission.
View 3 ImagesThey usually don’t need permission(Image: Pexels)
According to Planning Portal, the term “original house” means the house as it was first built or as it stood on July 1, 1948, if built prior to that date. While you may not have added an extension yourself, a previous owner may have done so. Designated land encompasses national parks and the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, conservation areas and World Heritage Sites.
The experts added that the permitted development allowances outlined applied to houses and not to flats and maisonettes, converted houses or dwellings created via ‘permitted development’ rights for ‘changes of use’ or ‘new dwellinghouses’, other structures and locations where planning conditions, Article 4 Directions or additional restrictions may limit permitted development rights. Separate guidance exists for all these categories.
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Individuals planning to commence work are also recommended to consult a technical document accessible on gov.uk.