Adding a garden room to your property can be an exciting prospect. However, before you dive into construction plans, it's essential to consider whether you need planning permission. Unfortunately, the answer isn’t straight forward. Several factors come into play when determining whether your project falls under permitted development rights or requires formal planning permission.
A garden room is typically considered to be an outbuilding. Outbuildings are structures that are ancillary to the main dwelling on a property, such as garden sheds, garages, greenhouse and garden rooms. In most cases, a garden room will not require planning permission if it adheres to building regulations and Permitted Development guidelines.
Total Area
You can build up to 50% of the total area of your garden. The area of your garden is all the land excluding the area that the house stands on. This includes any previous home extensions or outbuildings constructed on the property.
Garden Room Maximum Height
Garden Rooms must be single storey with a maximum eaves height of 2.5 metres from ground level and maximum overall height of 4 metres with a dual pitched roof, or 3 metres in any other case. If the building is within 2 meters of a property boundary, the total height, including the roof, is limited to 2.5m without planning permission.
Location
No buildings are to go in front of the house without obtaining planning permission.
Conservation Areas and Listed Buildings
Conservation Areas; you cannot build at the front or side, but you can place a garden room in the back garden with planning permission. Listed buildings; require full planning permission. Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty; now referred to as National Landscapes; the maximum size is 10 square metres and the building has to be set at least 20 metres away from the house.
Garden Room Use
The intended use for a garden room can influence whether planning permission is required. For example, if you plan to use the space for residential purposes, such as a guest bedroom, AirBnB or a self-contained living area, you will need formal planning approval. On the other hand, using the garden room for occasional use; as a home office, garden room gym, bar/games room or studio is likely to fall within permitted development rights.
In conclusion to answer the question Do you need planning permission for your garden room; the vast majority of garden rooms are fitted within permitted development rights, if these are not applicable, then planning permission must be applied for.
We can advise you, if you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to our knowledgeable team. We are here to help. Contact Mark on 0115 7722715 or email mark@cosygardenrooms.co.uk
Models shown range in price from £25,000 to £40,000.
We offer a free site survey and design service coupled with a price match and quality guarantee.