Planning permission is something that most property developers are experienced with.
In all parts of the UK, local councils expect you to get planning permission if you want to drastically change your house.
This might be changing the appearance, or the functionality.
If you want to build in your garden, then it’s only natural to wonder what you can build without planning permission.
We’ve given the best examples of things you don’t usually need planning permission for below.
Shed
You can build a shed in your garden without planning permission.
As long as it’s single storey and doesn’t take up more than 50% of your garden space.
You should also ensure that this shed is in your back garden, and not at the front of your house. Otherwise, if it’s at the front, planning permission may be needed.
It’s important that you only use the shed for domestic purposes. This includes storing garden items.
If you try to use it for commercial purposes, planning permission will be needed.
Summer house
Lots of families build this type of outbuilding at the back of their garden. And if you’d like to do this, then you’re in luck: because you don’t need planning permission to do so.
The major exception is if you are installing sleeping accommodation in the summer house. This changes the purpose of the building, and the number of bedrooms on your land. Planning permission could then be compulsory.
Once again, make sure this is a single-storey building. It shouldn’t block out light for any of your neighbours.
And beware that if you use this building for disruptive purposes, such as hosting loud parties, then you could get into trouble with the council.
Greenhouse
You don’t usually need planning permission for a greenhouse. That’s because it falls under permitted development rights.
The only exceptions are if your greenhouse is very tall, or it takes up more than 50% of the garden space. If you live in a listed building, or in a protected area, then you may also need permission for a greenhouse.
Swimming pool
Thousands of people across the UK install a swimming pool every year, without any difficulties with planning permission. If it’s an outdoor swimming pool, you’re allowed to install it without permission in most cases.
You should check for legal covenants or restrictions attached to your property. These could affect the installation of a swimming pool, in some cases.
You may also need planning permission if your swimming pool is indoors. Whether you’re changing the function of an existing room or building a new space for it.
Either way, you should check with the council just to be sure.
Conservatory
Single storey conservatories don’t need planning permission. This is seen as a valid, non-obstructive extension onto your property. You can do it without checking with anyone.
It’s crucial that this conservatory is at the back of your house. If it’s at the front, planning permission might be needed.
And it should cover less than 50% of the area of the land around the original house.
Porch and/or decking
In most cases, you can build a porch and/or decking at the back of your house, without needing planning permission.
You will often need planning permission if you want this at the front or sides of your house. Especially if it makes up more than 50% of your garden space.
A general rule is that your decking shouldn’t be more than 30 centimetres in height. If it is, then planning permission could be needed.
Pond and/or water feature
You can usually install a pond, or water feature, without planning permission. You’ve got the right to do so if it’s only for your personal enjoyment.
The main exception is if you may disrupt protected species. Or if you want to place the feature at the front of your house.
Your pond shouldn’t be more than 1 metre deep, or 20 metres in length. At this point, planning permission could be needed. And if your pond is close to a main river, or in a floodplain, an environmental permit is required.
Solar panels
You have the right to install solar panels on your property without getting planning permission.
This is a policy by the UK government which aims to remove obstacles towards people embracing ‘green energy’.
The main exception is for listed buildings, or protected areas. But this only tends to apply if your solar panels are visible from the motorway.
When is planning permission needed for building gardens?
Any single storey structure doesn’t typically need planning permission. But if it’s two storeys, planning permission could apply.
There are also certain dimensions you should adhere to when building. You don’t want a structure that takes up more than 50% of your garden space.
And for decking or ponds, the installation can’t go above a certain height or length.
It’s best to check with your local council if you live in a protected area or have a listed building. Regulations tend to be stricter in these circumstances.
