Whatever the method of construction, if you are going to build a house you will always need planning permission.
In October 2008 the regulations in England, regarding erecting outbuildings around the home without planning permission were changed, supposedly to make them less restrictive, but in practice making them more restrictive.
For garden buildings planning permission is not required provided:
- - It is not closer to the road than your house
- - It does not cover more than half the area of the garden
- - It is not for use in connection with running a business
- - It is not more than 4m high for a double pitched roof, or 3m high for a single pitched roof.
- - If closer than 2m from a boundary it is less than 2.5m high.
- - It does not have a raised platform more than 300mm high.
- - It does not have a verandah.
- - It is for the sole use of the house occupants
- - Your house is not a listed building
(Note also that building regulations require that any building in excess of 15 square metres should be at least 1m away from a boundary.)
If you live in a Conservation Area, a National Park, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, or the Broads additional limitations apply.
There is no restriction on the use of a garden cabin so long as it is not in connection with a business, so for example you could use a garden cabin as an extra bedroom for a family member, but you could not rent it out to a stranger. If a cabin has a bedroom, a bathroom, and a kitchen, then your planning department will classify it as a separate dwelling that needs planning permission. However if it has just a bedroom and a bathroom, then it forms part of your household and will not require planning permission.
Refer to the Government's Planning Portal for advice on when planning permission is required.
You should always check with your local planning authority in case any special local rules apply. Your local planning office will often operate a telephone help line so you can talk to the duty planning officer if you have any doubt about whether planning permission is required.
Or you can contact our in house architect Tony Alexander of – Alexander Architects 0161 959 3276
Regardless whether or not your project requires planning permission, it may still require to pass building regulations. See our Building Regulations page for more information.