Garden room planning permission guide - Grand Designs magazine

Garden room planning permission guide

There are instances when consent is required for a garden room.

By Becca Green |

Before going ahead with building a room or studio in your outside space, check through this advice on garden room planning permission.

Large garden room with bi-folding doors overlooking a terraced garden

A garden room can include bi-folding doors Image: Norwegian Log

Permitted development

The good news is that many garden building come under permitted development rules (PDR). But there are criteria to meet for this to be the case. For instance, if the structure is less than two metres from the boundary of your home the overall height can be no more than 2.5 m high. It must take up no more than 50 per cent of the ground space around your property. Also, it needs to be single-storey. Other rules apply. So, for more information see the Planning Portal. Always check with your local planning authority for clarification on any regulations you are not sure about.

Before going ahead with building a room or studio in your outside space, check through this advice on garden room planning permission.

Large garden room with bi-folding doors overlooking a terraced garden

A garden room can include bi-folding doors Image: Norwegian Log

Permitted development

The good news is that many garden building come under permitted development rules (PDR). But there are criteria to meet for this to be the case. For instance, if the structure is less than two metres from the boundary of your home the overall height can be no more than 2.5 m high. It must take up no more than 50 per cent of the ground space around your property. Also, it needs to be single-storey. Other rules apply. So, for more information see the Planning Portal. Always check with your local planning authority for clarification on any regulations you are not sure about.

Garden room planning permission

Homes where permission for a garden room is required include flats, maisonettes, listed buildings and converted houses. Also, areas where there may be a planning condition or another restriction. If your building does require planning permission, the following points will be taken into consideration.

The impact of the building on your neighbours.
If the garden room overlooks someone else’s garden, this could constitute a loss of privacy.
Does the outbuilding exceed the permitted height?
Its design should appear ancillary to the main building. For instance, it must respect the character of the property in terms of window styles, roof, local distinctiveness and the street scene.
It may not impact any trees that are under a Tree Protection Order.

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