Do you need full planning approval for your garden annexe?
Up until a couple of years ago, it was a lot harder to build a garden annexe without full planning approval but in 2016 the Permitted Development Rights for Householders were relaxed enabling homeowners to capitalise on the flexibility and convenience of a modular garden annexe as an alternative to the traditional home extension.
Inside a 5m garden annexe yoga room
For a simple no-nonsense insight into the regulations we’ve listed the main criteria below:
Your Garden Annexe must have an overall height of 2.5m if situated within 2m of the boundary.
If further than 2m from the boundary, you may build your garden annexe with an eaves height of 2.5m and no taller than 4 meters overall. (If dual pitched – 3m if Monopitched)
The building footprint must not when combined with other structures cover more than 50% of your garden
You can’t build your annexe beyond the front wall of your house
No verandas, balconies or raised platforms – if the decking is higher than 300mm
Of course, this is a very simplified summary of the full householder criteria, so if you are in any doubt it’s wise to check the full guidance on the Planning Portal.
If you live in a Listed Building, within a National Park, an Area of Outstanding Beauty, The Broads or a World Heritage site you may need to apply for planning permission for your garden annexe.
However, the Planning Departments are not to be feared! We have always had enormous success with gaining approval for garden annexes.
If you are at all concerned about the suitability of your Garden Annexe ad whether your structure falls under Permitted Development you can make a Pre-Planning application or apply for a Certificate of Lawfulness.
