Planning Permission


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Do I need Planning Permission?

Generally planning permission is not required for garden rooms due to its classification of an ‘outbuilding’ (garden studios/rooms/offices) falling under permitted development. 

Under new regulations that came into effect on 1 October 2008, outbuildings are considered to be permitted development, not needing planning permission, subject to the following limits and conditions:

•    No outbuilding on land forward of the front elevation of your house
•    Outbuildings to be single storey with maximum roof height of 3m (our studios are under this height)
•    Maximum height of 2.5 metres in the case of a building within 2m of a boundary of the curtilage of the dwellinghouse. (this can be achieved)
•    No more than 50% of the area of land around the house would be covered.

In special situations, there may be further aspects to consider, such as:

•    Within the curtilage of listed building, any outbuilding will require planning permission.
•    In National Parks, the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and World Heritage Sites the maximum area to be covered by buildings, enclosures, containers and pools more than 20 metres from house to be limited to 10 square metres.
•    In National Parks, the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Conservation Areas and World Heritage Sites, a garden room at the side of a property will require planning permission.
Importantly, garden rooms must be for a purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the dwelling house and planning permission would be required if used as a room to sleep in.

For further detailed information please visit the

Planning Portal or alternatively, Contact Us
Submitting a Planning Application

Should you require planning permission, this is a service for which we can provide.  We can take care of the full planning application process and carry out all the necessary work for you to realise your garden studio.   There would however be a small administration fee of £800 for this service. The cost of which would be recouped should your application be successful.

Alternatively, should you want to carry out this yourself or use somebody else, we would be more than happy to provide you with the necessary information, such as drawings and specifications to fulfil the required documentation.