LBS Planning Guide for Garden Buildings

Do I require planning permission for my buildings?

Many kinds of buildings can be built in your garden without the need to apply for planning permission.

Do I have to apply for planning myself? / How much will it cost if you do it for me?

Some of our customers enjoy this kind of paperwork, but if you don't want to get involved, we can assist you on all aspects of planning, and even take on the complete application on your behalf at a fixed fee. For most local applications, our fee is currently £600 (Sept 2008), although we may need to charge more in some cases.
Our charge includes all drawings, local authority fees and up to two site visits. Typically, higher charges may apply to buildings in Conservation Areas, AONB or Listed buildings.

How likely is it that I will need to apply for planning?

You will need to apply for planning permission if any of the following cases apply;

You want to put up a building which would be nearer to any highway than the nearest part of the original house, unless there would be at least 20m between the new building and any highway.
More than half the area of land around the “original house” would be covered by additions or other buildings.
The building or structure is not to be used for purposes ancillary to domestic use and is to be used instead, for example, for parking a commercial vehicle, running a business or for storing goods in connection with a business.
You want to put up a building or structure which is more than 3 metres high, or more than 4 metres high if it has a ridged roof. (Measure from the highest ground next to it.)
Your house is a listed building, and you want to put up a building or structure with a volume of more than 10 cubic metres.
You live in a Conservation Area, a National Park, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, or the Broads, and you want to put up a building or structure with a volume of more than 10 cubic metres (though it might be allowable as an extension).

Note: In all cases, if your new building would have a volume over 10 cubic metres and come within 5 metres of the house, you need to be aware that it could be treated as an extension (and its volume deducted) when calculating your entitlement to extend the house (see Section A). Also, if your new extension would bring some existing garden building within 5 metres of the (extended) house, that existing building’s volume could be deducted from your overall volume entitlement for the house, as if it were another extension.

What should I do next?

Many of our customers are quite familiar with the specific planning regulations for their area / street / property and will know if planning is likely or not. However, if you are unsure, then do read the government guide in the next section. Also check with your solicitor or planning authority to find out if you have any special planning requirements. If you really want to make sure, then a full application or a certificate of lawfulness are the best way forward.

Government Guidance

More details about planning can be found in this document: Planning: A Guide for Householders (Published by The Department for Communities and Local Government. Revised: Feb 2008).
Please note: We are expecting a new guide in late 2008, shortly after the latest revision of planning laws due in October 2008.

DISCLAIMER
Our planning service is to administer the planning application rather than to give 'hard and fast' advice. In any case, planning laws can be varaible from area to area (Bylaws etc).

Furthermore - Please note: Whilst we have considerable experience (and sucess) in the undertaking of planning applications, none of our staff have any specific qualifications in planning.

LBS Planning Guide for Garden Buildings

With over 1000 sizes /designs available we cannot show all the buildings on this website, but a selection can be found in our web pages

Other useful Information:

New 2008 Pages