Do I need planning permission for a garden room?
Sep 11, 2021
A garden room is a great way to get more usable space at home. And since lockdown, they're growing in popularity. Whether you need a home office, a place to work out or a space to home-school, a garden room offers a flexible solution. But how much do they cost, do you need planning permission and what else do you need to know before you start?
A garden room is a relatively quick and cost-effective way of getting more space at home. You just need a garden with enough room to accommodate what you want. And with so much choice available it’s easy to find the right size garden room for you.
WHAT IS A GARDEN ROOM?
For planning purposes, a garden room, in most instances, will be classed as an outbuilding. Outbuildings do not require planning permission and fall into your ‘permitted development rights’, as long as the garden room falls within this set of parameters:
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• Single story with a maximum eaves height of 2.5 metres and with a maximum overall height of four metres with a dual pitched roof or three metres for any other roof.
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• Not on built on land forward of a wall forming the principal elevation.
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• Have a maximum height of 2.5 metres in the case of a building, enclosure or container within two metres of a boundary of the curtilage of the dwelling/house.
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• Have no verandas, balconies or raised platforms (a platform must not exceed 0.3 metres in height).
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• Be on no more than half the area of land around the ‘original house’* would be covered by additions or other buildings.
*The term ‘original house’ means the house as it was first built or as it stood on 1 July 1948 (if it was built before that date). Although you may not have built an extension to the house, a previous owner may have done so.
However, not all properties qualify for permitted development rights. Any of the following homes are automatically exempt and will need planning permission: Flats / Maisonettes / Converted houses / Some new builds / Listed buildings / Homes in conservation areas
CAN GARDEN ROOMS BE USED FOR SLEEPING?
Putting a sofa bed in your garden room so that guests can occasionally stay there is fine and will not require planning permission. But if you want to sleep in it regularly or want to create a self-contained accommodation, or granny annexe, you must apply for planning permission and meet building regulations.
In other words, you’ll have an easier time getting your garden room erected if it is not used for sleeping or require a toilet. It is more likely to be viewed as an outbuilding if used as a home office, yoga studio, or workshop, than if it resembles a bedroom.
Visit HOA website for answers to the following: • Do I need a lawful development certificate? • Do I need an architect for a garden room? • Do I need building regulations approval? • How long do garden rooms take to build? • How much does a garden room cost?
DESIGN IDEAS
Garden rooms are a versatile addition to any home, allowing you to customise a private space to suit your needs. Whether you’re a bookworm, crafter, student, or personal trainer, here are some ideas for what your garden room could become:
A yoga or fitness studio / Home office / Home spa / Home gym / Bar / Games room / Music room / Cinema room / Hobby room / Personal library / Workshop
