Advice on planning permissions needed for a garden room

IT may be the middle of winter but that doesn’t stop us dreaming of what we would like to do to our garden.

For a burgeoning number of homeowners, top of the list is a garden building to be used as a home office, a hobby room, we could go on.

Before you start trying to turn your dream into reality, you must look into planning permission first even though the chances are that you will not need it.

Russell Atkinson, the CEO of Crane Garden Buildings says: “Several factors come into play when considering planning permission for a garden building, whether it’s for a traditional summer house, home office or a new shed.

“At the forefront is the locality. Regulations significantly differ for those residing in rural areas compared to urban settings. When purchasing a garden building, proximity to natural beauty sites and the building’s potential impact on visibility must be taken into account.

“Additionally, the distance from your neighbour’s garden perimeter and the height of the intended structure are crucial considerations.

“While it is also a rare occurrence, should you want a building in your front garden that would require planning permission as well. Specialist providers can offer guidance, but it's prudent to consult with your local authority to ensure compliance.”

“As has been established, all garden structures, including garden sheds, summer houses and garages, are subject to planning permission rules.

“Providing certain criteria are met and the building is considered permitted development, you can proceed without needing planning permission.”

Below are six key considerations flagged by Russell:

Size and placement are the two biggest factors to consider with any purchase of a garden building and these rules may differ depending on your locality.

Typically, structures positioned within two metres of the property boundary can have a maximum overall height of 2.5 metres without requiring planning permission. Larger buildings near the boundary can adjust their roof height to meet this requirement.

For structures more than two metres from the boundary, a single-storey garden building can have a maximum eave height of 2.5 metres. Dual-pitched roof buildings can reach a maximum overall height of four metres, and pent-roofed buildings can go up to three metres.

Garden buildings should occupy less than 50 per cent of the area around the original house and should be a specific distance from roads or public highways.

A garden building to be lived in must comply with building codes and zoning laws so consult with your local planning authority or a professional architect.

Listed buildings and designated land have additional restrictions re garden buildings as do homes in protected landscapes such as national parks and conservation areas.

It’s crucial to consult with your local planning authority or a heritage consultant to ensure compliance with the regulations.

Never be tempted to erect a large garden building and ask for retrospective planning permission. It is a gamble you may lose and the consequences will be costly in terms of loss.

Russell says: “Not only can installing a garden building without planning permission result in legal consequences but it also cannot be guaranteed that retroactive permission is given.”