Planning information
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE YOU BUILD.
General information to help you ask the right questions. It is not legal advice, and it is not a substitute for site-specific guidance.
Garden buildings are sometimes described online as though they are always exempt from planning permission. That is not accurate. Whether permission or approval is needed depends on a combination of factors, and two apparently similar gardens can produce different answers.
We will discuss what is likely to apply to your project at consultation and survey stage, and we will tell you plainly when something needs to be checked with your local authority or a suitably qualified professional.
What affects the answer
THE FACTORS THAT MATTER.
Any one of these can change what is required for your project.
Where you are in the UK
Rules differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Your property
Listed buildings, conservation areas, national parks and previous extensions all affect what is possible.
Restrictions on your title
Covenants, easements and leasehold terms can restrict outbuildings independently of planning.
Size, height and position
Footprint, ridge height, roof type and distance from boundaries all matter.
Construction
How the building is constructed can affect which regulations apply.
Intended use
This is often decisive. Ancillary use is treated very differently from self-contained living accommodation.
Before work proceeds
Site-specific advice should be obtained, and any necessary permissions, approvals or certifications put in place, before work begins. We can talk through what is likely to be needed, but we cannot give legal advice and we will not tell you that your project is exempt without proper assessment. Your local planning authority and building control body are the definitive sources for your property.
Start the conversation
LET’S CREATE SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY.
Your perfect garden space begins with a conversation.