Browns Guide to Garden Building Planning Permissions
For detailed information on planning permission, we recommend that you look at the Government Planning Portal.
Browns Garden Buildings would advise that you check with your Local Authority to establish whether planning permission is required before you order your building. In most cases permitted development rights enable you to erect a building without a formal submission.
The following information has been taken direct from the government online portal July 2010.
Outbuildings are considered to be permitted development, not requiring an application for planning permission, provided all the conditions are met.
The rules governing outbuildings apply to sheds, greenhouses and garages as well as other ancillary garden buildings and many other kinds of structure for a purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the dwelling house.
On Designated Land* outbuildings to the side of the house are not permitted development.
Outbuildings are not permitted development within the grounds of a listed building.
In national parks, the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and World Heritage Sites the total area to be covered by any outbuilding more than 20m from any wall of the house must not exceed 10m2 to be permitted development.
Outbuildings are not permitted development forward of the principal elevation of the original house. The term original house means the house as it was first built or as stood on 1st July 1948 (if built before that date).
Out buildings and other additions must not exceed 50% of the total area around the original house.
Sheds and all other outbuildings and extensions to the original house must be included when calculating this 50% limit.
To be permitted development, any new building must not itself be separate, self contained, living accommodation and must not have a microwave antenna.
Outbuildings must be single storey with a maximum eaves height of 2.5m and maximum overall height 4m with a dual pitch roof, or 3m in any other case.
If the outbuilding is within 2m of the property boundary the whole building should not exceed 2.5m height.
Raised platforms such as decking are permitted development provided they are no higher than 300mm.
In most instances if a building is to be erected within 20m of a classified highway (Wales) or 25m (England), planning permission will be required.
If a building is to be erected within 5m of the main dwelling , it is considered to be an extension rather than an outbuilding and may require planning permission.(This is very unlikely with this type of structure)
*Designated land includes National Parks & The Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Conservation Areas and World Heritage sites.
Please Note: Permitted developments allowance here only applies to houses, not flats, maisonettes or other buildings. Please check with your local planning office to see if permitted development rights apply.
Garden Building Self Assessment Form
From the 1st October 2008 an extension or addition to your home will be considered to be permitted development, not needing permission if you answer “NO” to ALL of the following questions, comply with the following CONDITIONS and there are no planning restrictions removing such rights on your property. This Self Assessment Form will indicate whether you need planning permission for your out building.
