Planning permission for garden buildings

[edit] Introduction

All timber garden structures, including sheds, summerhouses and garages are subject to planning permission rules. However, the majority of these buildings won't actually require planning permission depending on the shed's location in the garden and whether or not the area is a national park (or has another form of protected status).

[edit] Planning parameters

A garden building may be considered and permitted development and so may not require planning permission as long as:

• It is less than 2 metres from the property boundary and has a maximum overall height of no more than 2.5 metres.
• It is more than 2 metres from the boundary of the property. However, planning permission is required for some specific roof types and heights.
• It is used as self-contained living accommodation and does not have an antenna.
• No more than 50% of the area of land around the original house is taken up by garden buildings or other buildings.
• It is not closer to a road or public highway than the original house itself.

If the building complies with the above criteria, it will be possible to have a garden building up to 30 square metres (internal size).

[edit] Special cases

There are more strict rules around listed buildings, so any garden building or outbuilding that is to be placed within the curtilage of a listed property will require planning permission. If the structure is built and attached to a listed property, it will require both listed building consent and planning permission.

There are also additional limitations for properties located on designated land.

For garden buildings in designated land that is a not conservation area, the maximum area of the building is limited to 10 square metres for structures that are positioned more than 20 metres from any wall of the house. Anything larger would require planning permission. Planning permission is required for any garden building on designated land that is a conservation area.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• Avoiding planning permission pitfalls.
• Conservation areas.
• Original house.
• Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act.
• Planning permission.
• Summerhouse.
• Use class.

[edit] External reference

• Permitted development rights for householders: technical guidance