Planning Permission For Garden Buildings

There a four factors to consider when planning your new outbuildings and whether you will require planning permission or building regulation approval, these are:

• The height.
• The distance from any boundary or highway.
• The area of your garden that is already developed.
• The type of construction and services you will require within your outbuilding.

Do I need planning permission for a garden building or granny annexe?

The rules governing outbuildings apply equally to sheds, greenhouses, garages, cabins, kennels, swimming pools and ponds. Your outbuilding will not require planning permission from your local authority if:

• It will be a single storey structure with an eaves height lower than 2.5 metres and a pitched roof lower than 4 metres or any other roof lower than 3 metres.
• It will not be situated forward of your existing home or will not be situated beyond the side elevation and face a highway.
• It will be sited within a 2 metre boundary and will not be higher than 2.5 metres.
• You will not specify any verandas, balconies or raised platforms.
• Not more than 50% of your garden is already built upon, or will be once your proposed extension is complete. This includes any outbuildings which may already exist.

Do I need building regulations approval for a garden building or granny annexe?

Most outbuildings will not require building regulations approval from your local authority, unless your outbuilding will require:

• Foundations
• Walls below ground level.
• Drainage
• Electrics
• Certain types of external walls and roofs.