When looking to erect a shed, summer house or studio in their garden, many people do not think about planning permission. However, this is an area that is a little more nuanced than it might first appear…
Application of the Planning Laws to Garden Structures
Any proposed timber structure within a garden is subject to UK planning laws. Fortunately, most of these will actually fall outside the requirement to obtain planning permission. Consequently, whether you are interested in garden summer houses in NI or studios in England, you can be reassured it is likely that your build can go ahead without problem. Whilst the UK Government Planning Portal is an excellent source of information, here is the essence of what you need to know to reassure yourself that your plans do not require planning permission.
Height and Distance from Boundary
Structures built within 2 metres of the boundary of the curtilage of the property must not exceed 2.5 metres in external height (the curtilage is the term for the land attached to a house.) Anything higher necessitates a planning permission application.
A dual-roofed structure built more than 2 metres from the boundary of the curtilage of the property must not exceed a maximum height of 4 metres. A pent-roofed building constructed a similar minimum distance from the boundary must not exceed a maximum height of 3 metres. Anything higher necessitates a planning permission application.
Self-contained Accommodation
A structure intended as self-contained accommodation does not qualify for the exemption from planning laws. Equally, neither does a structure with an antenna.
Listed Buildings
Special rules apply to listed buildings. Any garden building to be placed inside a listed property’s curtilage requires planning permission. However, many suppliers of garden buildings, including http://www.morrowsectionalbuildings.com/summer_houses, are used to their clients facing this issue and may be able to advise further.
Designated Land
Designated land includes national parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Broads and conservation areas. Positioning a garden building more than 20 metres from any of the dwelling house’s walls in a national park, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or the Broads (but not a conservation area) requires planning permission if that garden building exceeds 10m2 . In addition, erecting a garden building to the side of a property on any designated land (including in a conservation area) requires planning permission.