ANNEXTRA ROOM!
Garden extensions are no longer just for Granny – now we’re building them for offices, study rooms and gyms
the ‘granny’ annexe has deep roots, but now it’s annexes of all kinds that are in high demand. Councils received around 9,000 planning applications for them in 2019/20 — that’s 25 a day, according to Churchill home Insurance.
Around a fifth of these are to convert existing outbuildings like a garage or a shed. But the large majority are for completely new premises in the garden — for childcare, home schooling, office space and shielding, which were cited among the biggest reasons.
There’s a cash bonus to this. Churchill claims annexes add an average £91,000 to the value of a home and make it a far better proposition when it comes to selling.
‘Any property with a purposebuilt office or studio gains more interest from purchasers.
It is also a common request from buyers on their wants-list,’ says Giles Davidson of hamptons estate agency.
So how do you go about joining Britain’s annexe army? Firstly, decide on size and purpose. If it’s serving a single function — like a games space or a home office — it need only be a large room, perhaps with a loo and basic kitchenette.
If it’s for use as a home gym it may require stronger floors and walls; and if it’s for something like recording music (or playing music in the case of teenagers) consider the best soundproofing you can afford. By contrast, if the annexe is to host people overnight — whether friends or Airbnb or holiday let guests — most annexes would have at least one bedroom and en suite bathroom, a living space and a modest kitchen.
Secondly, choose whether you buy a kit or get a one-off purposebuilt annexe.
Some companies offer flat packs: prices vary according to size and materials, with basic costs topped up by add-ons such as toilets, showers, air conditioning and extra windows. If you’re going for a purpose-built annexe, hire an architect or specialised company and expect to pay more.
Thirdly, submit a planning application — if required. It’s likely that a simple conversion of a garage or an existing garden house into living quarters may not need planning consent, but larger purposebuilt annexes are likely to require a full application. These should take no more than eight weeks to be agreed or rejected.
The Government has relaxed socalled permitted development rules but there are strict limits on height, size and uses for annexes, plus extra controls if the main house is listed or in a conservation area. Check planningportal.co.uk.
Finally, treat the finished annexe as part of the house for insurance purposes.
‘Anyone considering constructing or converting a garden annexe needs to inform their insurer that work is taking place and consider the additional building and contents on their policy once it’s complete,’ says Pritpal Powar of Churchill.
Such is the growing popularity of annexes that many estate agents suggest sellers with sufficiently large gardens or land secure planning permission for one ahead of putting the property on the market — even if they don’t build it.
For the buyer, this consent gives a signal that they can build an annexe if they wish, including an idea of size and position. Consent also adds to the value of the property, so both sides of the deal gain.
BURnT sausages, raw chicken, shrivelled burgers and a sad, mushy red pepper for the oft-forgotten vegetarian, all served on groaning paper plates with limp lettuce, melted choc ices and warm Pimm’s.
We’ve all been there, and will be again, but barbecues have come a long way. now we buy pizza ovens, Yotam Ottolenghi cookbooks and spices from za’atar to asafoetida.
We prep days in advance and are running back to independent fishmongers, butchers and green grocers with open arms.
During lockdown outside spaces became a focus point for many and the trend doesn’t seem to be going away.
So it stands to reason we should get more out of our barbecues all year round.
Here’s how to do it...
THE MAIN EVENT
THe current king (or queen) of the barbecues is the endlessly versatile Big Green egg. Large and ceramic, an ability to reach high (and retain) high temperatures sets them apart.
The Beckhams have one, as does Liz Hurley and Kelly Brook. They are expensive (£780, biggreenegg.co.uk), but the company advocates cooking everything and anything on them all year round. As James Doyan, CeO of
Big Green egg, says: ‘Unlike normal barbecues, Big Green eggs allow you not only to grill but to roast, slow cook, bake and smoke in your back garden.’
The sturdy design carries a lifetime guarantee and weatherpoof nasa-grade ceramics ensure that purchasing a Big Green egg, pictured, isn’t just a fair-weather investment. If you’re set on this style, the Kamado Joe in bright red is cheaper at £459 (bbqworld.co.uk).
But, looks aside, what’s important is that the barbecue is sealable and has a lid. So something simple like the Weber Kettle barbecue works (£104.99, weber.co.uk) or even the Charcoal Oil Drum from Argos (£50, argos.co.uk). You might also need to try a different approach when it comes to cooking. Roasting meats (especially if they’re butterflied or spatch cocked) could be the answer, or cooking smoky stews.
SOMETHING DIFFERENT
FROm South African braais to Japanese Hibachi grills, many countries have their own version of the barbecue.
In pursuit of practicality (and luxury) British brand Chesneys (Chesneys.co.uk) recently launched a range of hybrid heating and cooking outdoor products. At £1,949 the Heat & Grill isn’t cheap, but the eco-friendly wood burning stove will keep you warm on a winter’s evening rustling up some steaks.
Forward-thinking Danish brand morso specialises in wood-burning stoves. The Forno Gas Piccolo (£349, morsoe.com) will make life easier in all weathers (as gas will in general) and is portable.
The Forno Grill (£549) is a covered wood burner that looks good and throw out heat while cooking.
And fire pits, which have become increasingly popular, can now be easily converted into heating and cooking devices thanks to moda Furnishings. The company sells BBQ griddles (from £179, modafurnishings.co.uk) which can be placed over a fire pit instantly transforming any outdoor entertaining space into one which can be cooked from, too.
RAIN DOESN’T MEAN STOP PLAY
We can idealise spending time outdoors all year round as much as we like, but the truth is that it rains in the UK. So some kind of shelter for barbecue spaces is sensible. Wayfair has plenty on offer, from the simple 3m x 4m awning by Dakota Fields (£76.99, Wayfair.co.uk) to more substantial retractable features (from £119.99).
There’s also a good selection of larger permanent features at Garden Street such as the Rowlinson Venetian canopy from £549 (gardenstreet.co.uk).
WHAT ELSE?
LIGHTInG a barbecue can be tricky at the best of times, never mind if it is windy or during that unexpected rainshower. Using charcoal makes all the difference, and a coal chute (£15, diy.com) will certainly help. For something low maintenance (but more expensive) try a hot air lighter (£59.99, Lakeland.co.uk). Thankfully, the UK’s space heater shortage of last winter is over. Hanging versions are useful and can double up as overhead lighting, such as the La Hacienda Silver mushroom Heater (£69.99, therange.co.uk). A more elegant solution is the Idbury Fire Pit from Graham & Green (£98, grahamandgreen.co.uk). Pizza ovens are also all the rage and Lidl made a splash this summer by selling one for just £129.99. These sold out quickly but Vonhaus makes a tabletop version which is £159.99 (vonhaus.com). Finally, barbecuing on an open flame is one of the hardest skills to master in cooking. most good brands (think Weber, Ooni, Big Green egg) have their own cookbooks and they should be used — even if just as a guide. Or try Pit Cue Co’s cookbook which is a good all-rounder (£17.99, amazon.co.uk).