Planning Permission Questions.

In most cases you should not need planning permission for your Hut Garden Office as long as it is located at least 5m away from the house and is not closer to any highway than the house itself, or any point 20m from that highway.

Detailed information concerning planning issues can be found on the government planning portal www.planningportal.gov.uk.

What kind of garden buildings can I build without planning permission?

Many types of garden buildings, including garden offices, sheds and greenhouses don’t need planning permission under normal circumstances. However there are situations where an office in the garden, a summerhouse, pool house or sometimes sheds needs planning permission.

Under what circumstances will my office need planning permission?

It will need planning if it falls into one or more of the following categories:

1. If you live in an Area of National Beauty, Conservation Area, National Park, Norfolk Broads or a listed building you will need planning permission for any structure with a volume greater than 10 cubic metres.

2. The building is for other than domestic use. For example, you may not need planning permission for a personal home office, but if you want an office in which you intend to employ other people you may need planning permission.

3. If the building has a monopitch roof and is more than 3m high or a ridged roof and is more than 4m high.

4. If your garden building is within 20 metres of a highway or footpath and closer to that highway or footpath than your house is. Typically this situation occurs if you live on a corner or have a lane or footpath running past the bottom of your garden.

5. If more than 50% of your garden will be covered with outbuildings.

If I have to apply for planning permission will I get it?

Over 80% of all planning applications are approved. Each case is considered on it’s own merits.

How long does it take to get planning permission?

The majority of planning departments aim to determine your application within 8 weeks.

Will I have to employ a professional to fill in my application form?

Planning departments accept planning applications from householders. The Householder application form is straightforward and your planning dept. will advise you on filling it in.