Does a garden studio need planning permission?
A garden studio or summer house can be an attractive addition to your home. It can be a very useful multi-purpose addition to your home that can be put to good use all year round.
A garden room or summer house can be the perfect way of gaining more family space without the upheaval of an extension or loft conversion and may not require planning permission, depending on its use. Where an additional garden space is just to be used as an extra social, studying or entertaining area and therefore not as a ‘habitable’ space, it would most likely fall into the category of ‘ancillary garden building’.For example, it could also be used as a quiet reading room or as an exercise area.
The rules of permitted development and planning permission will apply, and building regulations may need to be taken into account, depending on the proposed size of the structure.
It is advisable to take advice from an architect as early as possible in the process. We are able to advise whether or not the type of building our clients envisage can be described as a garden room or summer house, and if it will consequently fall into the appropriate category of ‘outbuilding’ (a habitable structure) or ‘ancillary garden building’.
There are three main considerations: permitted development, planning permission and building regulations. There is a good overview available on the Government’s Planning Portal, Permission Common Projects Outbuildings.
Is a garden studio allowed under permitted development
It’s important to remember that a garden studio, summer house, garden room, garden office or study is not intended to be habitable accommodation, and cannot be used as self-contained living accommodation.
A studio or summerhouse-type building is looked upon as an outbuilding and may not need to have planning permission as long as it sits within the rules of permitted development. Permitted development rules cover height restrictions and state that all outbuildings within the curtilage of the home (including sheds, storage buildings and so on) do not cover more than half the land around the original house.
In addition, National Parks, the Broads and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty also have limitations regarding outbuildings.
Our architects have great experience in refurbishments and rebuilding projects where the aim is often to maximise the space both indoors and out. Consequently, we are able to advise on how to make the best possible use of outdoor areas by adding a studio or garden room within the rules of permitted development, whilst still retaining the advantages of the garden itself.
Planning Permission for a garden house or studio
Anyone wanting to add a garden building, such as a garden studio, garden annex or garden room (there are so many ways of describing these rooms!) should take advice from an architect.
The team at JLE Studio can provide Planning Application Services and will be able to advise whether or not the proposed building will be classed as an outbuilding for the purposes of planning permission and permitted development.
Planning permission is not required if the proposed outbuilding falls within the boundaries of permitted development. However, a ‘granny annex’ where the outbuilding will be used as a habitable room is a different matter, as it is then classed as separate self-contained living accommodation.
Building regulations and a garden room
Any garden room needs to be structurally robust, safe and convenient for all members of the family and their visitors to use. Building regulation approval is not required for small rooms, measuring less than 15sq metres and importantly, which are not used as sleeping accommodation.
JLE Studio can advise and design a garden room that can be used all year round, with the appropriate insulation, glazing, heating and if required, sound-proofing. The Government Planning Portal has more outline information on Building Regulations Approval for an Outbuilding.
JLE Studio expert view
A beautifully designed and positioned garden room can add practicality and enjoyment to the family home. Contact our experts to find out how we can help you make the most of your outside space with the addition of a garden room.