So, you’ve decided to add a new space to your garden and are wondering about the hassle of planning permission. Well fear not! The experts at Nordic Timber Buildings are here to give you a full guide on garden room planning permission.
Which Garden Rooms Need Planning Permission?
|
Garden Room Type |
Need Planning Permission? |
Important Information |
|
No |
You will need planning permission if you use this gym as a place of business. |
|
|
No |
You will need planning permission if you are running a business from a garden office. |
|
|
Garden Workshop/Shed |
No |
Electrics may require Building Regulations. |
|
Summerhouse |
No |
As long as the height and size meets certain rules. |
|
Home cinema |
No |
Will most likely fall under Permitted Development Rights. |
While the table shows that most garden rooms won’t require planning permission, it’s important to fully understand why and the variable conditions which dictate the requirement.
Garden Room Planning Permission Rules
Height Restrictions
The first rule regarding UK planning permission regulations is all about height. Garden rooms must only be one-storey high, not have a balcony and if the garden room is within 2m of a boundary, whether that be a wall, fence or your property line, the total height must be under 2.5m.
The only instance where the height can be over 2.5m is if the location of the room is more than 2m from a boundary. This is advantageous for those with larger garden spaces, where the maximum height can be extended to 4m, as long as it features a pitched roof, meaning it is sloped or angled.
No More Than 50% of Your Garden Area
No matter what reason you have for a garden room, whether a garden gym or a garden office to conduct your work in, as long as it doesn’t cover more than 50% of your garden, you won’t require planning permission.
Garden Room Usage
Do garden rooms need planning permission if you intend to use it as an overnight living space? Do they require planning permission if they have plumbing? The answer is yes, as these are strict requirements.
However, while planning permission is needed for garden rooms for permanent or overnight living space and other ancillary uses, the odd stay overnight by guests counts as incidental use – where it doesn’t serve as a permanent or standalone living space. This is thanks to Permitted Development Rights, so as long as your garden room’s purpose is for incidental use, you won’t require planning permission.
Incidental Usage Examples:
- Gaming
- Home cinema
- Yoga
- Office
- Home gym
Ancillary Usage Examples:
- Permanent residence
- Operating a business
- Any plumbing installed / toilets / showers
- Cooking
Planning Permission vs Building Regulations
Building regulations are different to planning permission, with the latter being all about getting permission to build a structure, building regulations are a set of distinct standards of how the garden room, or other structure, should be built. Building regulations cover:
- Structural integrity
- Insulation
- Foundations
- Electrical Safety
At Nordic Timber Buildings, we ensure all our garden rooms adhere to building regulations, giving you ultimate peace of mind.
Garden Room Planning Permission: Key Takeaways
Permitted Development Rights
- Most garden rooms and sheds fall under Permitted Development Rights, meaning you don’t typically need planning permission.
Height Restrictions
- Garden rooms must not exceed 2.5m in height if within 2m of a property boundary.
- The height can reach up to 4m for a dual-pitched roof or 3m for a flat roof.
Usage Rules
- The garden room must be ancillary to the main property, meaning it’s for personal use including a home office, gym, cinema and lounge area.
- Separate living accommodation or commercial/business use WILL REQUIRE planning permission.
Size Limitations
- The maximum garden room size without planning permission is no more than 50% of the total area of the original garden.
Listed Buildings and Protected Areas
- Garden rooms built on the grounds of a listed property will most likely require planning permission.
- You will need planning permission if your property is in a conservation area, a National Park or an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Building Regulations
- Building Regulations approval might be required if your garden room has electrical installations or plumbing.
Garden Rooms Without Planning Permission Made Easy With Nordic Timber Buildings
Forget about the struggle of planning permission when you come to Nordic Timber Buildings for your bespoke garden room. We have a wide range of styles, sizes and additional features all tailored to each of our customers, from composite summerhouses to composite garden buildings for all manner of uses. If you would like to discuss more about planning permission, Building Regulations or any other concerns, talk to our expert team today.
FAQs:
1. Can I build a garden room next to my boundary?
Yes, but the height of the garden room must not exceed 2.5m if it is within 2m of the boundary. To build a taller garden room near the boundary, planning permission will be required.
2. Do garden rooms need planning permission in conservation areas or with listed properties?
If your property is in a conservation area, National Park or an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, planning permission will most likely be required for your garden room, regardless of height or size. Listed buildings typically always require planning permission.
3. What is the difference between planning permission and Building Regulations in the UK?
The main difference between planning permission and Building Regulations is planning permission governs the external appearance, size and location of the structure, ensuring it aligns with local development rules. Building regulations focus on safety, structural integrity and functionality of the building, including insulation, electrics and plumbing.
Disclaimer: This blog post is purely for informational purposes. Please note that Nordic Timber don’t advise on planning permissions and would like to inform our readers to research thoroughly before proceeding.
