Garden rooms, home offices, gyms and big sheds are more popular than ever. The good news is most of them don’t need planning permission, as long as you stay within the rules. Here’s what you need to know for a house in England, based on the government’s Planning Portal guidance.
The permitted development rules for outbuildings
- Single storey only
- Not in front of the front wall of the house
- Eaves no higher than 2.5 metres
- No more than 4 metres high with a dual-pitched roof, or 3 metres with any other roof
- No more than 2.5 metres high if it’s within 2 metres of a boundary
- No verandas, balconies or raised platforms over 0.3 metres
- Outbuildings and extensions together can’t cover more than half the land around the original house
That’s why a lot of garden rooms are kept to 2.5 metres tall, so they can sit close to the fence without needing planning.
When you’ll need planning permission
- In a conservation area, an outbuilding at the side of the house needs permission
- Any outbuilding within the grounds of a listed building needs permission
- Flats and maisonettes don’t have these permitted development rights
- Using it as separate, self-contained living accommodation isn’t covered
- Some areas have an Article 4 direction that removes these rights
What about building regulations?
- Under 15 square metres with no sleeping accommodation, building regulations won’t normally apply
- Between 15 and 30 square metres with no sleeping accommodation, approval isn’t normally needed if it’s at least 1 metre from any boundary or built mainly of non-combustible materials
- Bigger buildings, or anything with sleeping accommodation, will usually need approval
Get the base right
Whatever you put up, it’s only as good as what it sits on. A proper concrete base that’s level, well compacted underneath and the right size will stop problems with damp, movement and doors that won’t shut.
We build garden rooms and lay concrete bases for sheds and outbuildings across Chelmsford and Essex. Have a look at our landscaping and groundworks page.
If you’re planning a project in Chelmsford or anywhere in Essex, get in touch for a free site visit or call Mark on 07747 022565 or Garrat on 07783 549849.
This is a general guide to the rules in England. Every property is different, so check with us or the council before you start.