The things you can build in your back garden
At Homesite we know most of our buyers are looking to add value to their purchases, so when a
prospective house comes up with a decent-sized garden, many will eye it up wondering what they could build
without getting tangled up in our nightmarish planning system. There are, you’ll be pleased to hear, quite a lot
of things you can do that don’t require planning permission, most of which are covered by your Permitted
Development (PD) rights. These include:
1) Rear extensions
2) Garden offices
3) Sheds
4) Greenhouses
5) Garages
6) Playhouses
7) Bike and bin sheds
8) Saunas
PD comes with a large number of restrictions (see below) but as long as you follow the rules, you can, in theory
just get on with your project. However, as it’s a complex area it would be wise, before you do anything, to
check with your local planning authority and then apply for a Lawful Development Certificate, which proves
your building is fully compliant. If you don’t and there is any doubt about the legitimacy of what you’ve built, it
can cause serious problems when you come to sell. The good news is that a Lawful Development Certificate is
relatively cheap and easy to obtain and your neighbours have very limited means to object.
Not everyone has the same PD rights – flats and maisonettes do not and, if you live in a National Park, Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty, a Conservation Area or your home is listed, those rights can be removed or
restricted. There is also a limit on how many changes you can make using PD. Your planned new building,
along with anything that was added to the house or garden (including sheds) since 1948 must, together, not
take up more than 50% of your total garden area.
PD rules vary according to what you are building but the three main categories are listed below. Bear in mind
that these are rough guides only and you should always check the full details before you do anything.
Rear Garden Extensions
The main PD requirements are:
• They cannot extend beyond the rear of the original house by more than four metres for a detached house; or
three metres for any other house.
• They cannot exceed four metres in height, but if the extension comes within two metres of a boundary, the
height at the eaves cannot exceed three metres.
• The materials should be of a similar appearance to those on the existing exterior of the house.
• They must not, together with any other extensions or outbuilding added since 1948, take up more than half
the garden.
• You can build a larger extension of up to eight metres for a detached house; or six metres for any other
house if you apply to the local authority for Prior Approval. They will then consult with any adjoining
neighbours. If any objections are raised, they will only be taken into consideration if there is an impact on the
amenity of their property ie such things as – overlooking, overshadowing, loss of daylight or privacy.
Two storey rear extensions
The main PD requirements are:
• They will need Prior Approval (see above).
• They cannot extend beyond the rear of the original house by more than three metres and should be at least
seven metres from the rear boundary.
• The roof pitch should match the existing house.
• The overall building height should be no more than 7m.
• Together with any other extensions or outbuilding added since 1948, they must not take up more than half
the garden.
• The materials should be of a similar appearance to those on the existing exterior of the house.
Garden offices/studios
The main PD requirements are:
• These must be single storey with eaves no higher than 2.5 metres or less than 4 metres for a dual-pitched
roof or 3 metres for any other type of roof.
• The overall height must be no more than 2.5 metres if the building is within 2 metres of the boundary of the
plot.
• No verandas, balconies or raised platforms.
• Together with any other extensions or outbuilding added since 1948, they cannot take up more than half the
garden.
• They cannot be used for overnight accommodation.
Sheds, playhouses, greenhouses, garages and sauna cabins
The main PD requirements are:
• These must be single storey with eaves no higher than 2.5 metres or less than 4 metres for a dual-pitched
roof or 3 metres for any other type of roof.
• The overall height must be no more than 2.5 metres if the building is within 2 metres of the boundary of the
plot.
• No verandas, balconies or raised platforms.
• Together with any other extensions or outbuilding added since 1948, they cannot take up more than half the
garden.
Whatever you are planning on building, though, the golden rule is check with your local authority first, or you
might end up wasting a lot of money and have to take it all down again.
Links:
Planning Portal
www.planningportal.co.uk
Permitted Development
planningportal.co.uk
Lawful Development Certificates
planningportal.co.uk
Prior Approval
planningportal.co.uk