If you are thinking about adding a garden room in Newcastle, you may have some questions about planning permission and building regulations. In this blog, we explain the main points you need to know when planning a garden room.
Garden rooms in England generally come under permitted development. You can usually build one without full planning permission as long as certain conditions are met.
These rules mostly cover the building’s positioning and size. For example, a garden room must usually be a single-storey structure and it must not be built on land in front of the principal elevation of the house. In most cases, this means it will normally sit in the rear garden, and sometimes at the side, depending on the property and whether any extra restrictions apply.
There are also limits on how much of the land around the original house can be covered. In most cases, all additions and outbuildings together must not cover more than half of the land around the original house.
You should also remember that permitted development rights do not apply in every situation. If your home is a listed building, is in a conservation area or has permitted development rights removed, you may need planning permission. Therefore, it is always sensible to check the position with your local authority beforehand.
If your garden room is within 2 metres of a boundary, its overall height cannot exceed 2.5 metres. If it is further from the boundary, a taller structure may be allowed depending on the roof design. For example, the limit is generally 4 metres for a dual-pitched roof and 3 metres for other roof types.
The building’s overall footprint is also a factor. A garden room must stay within the permitted development limits for the property and its size must be considered alongside any other extensions or outbuildings already in place.
For many smaller detached garden rooms, building regulations approval may not be required, especially if the structure is single-storey and falls within the acceptable size limits. In general, detached outbuildings under 15 square metres are exempt. Some buildings between 15 and 30 square metres may also be exempt if they meet the required conditions relating to boundary distance or non-combustible construction.
But building regulations are more likely to apply if the garden room is larger, attached to the house, intended for sleeping or designed for more intensive use. Electrical installations must also comply with the relevant regulations even where the building itself may otherwise be exempt.
If you are exploring garden rooms in Newcastle and want to make sure your project is designed with the right planning and building control considerations, Woodcraft UK is here to help. Our team designs and builds high-quality garden rooms tailored to your space and your lifestyle. Call 01429 866559 to discuss your requirements or get in touch online to request a quote or arrange a site survey.
