So, you've decided to build a summer house in your garden. But what does it involve? Whether you want a relaxing garden retreat, home office, or somewhere to banish your teenagers, building a summerhouse can be a fun and creative project...unless it ends in a neighbour dispute or planning permission issues.
In this article, we'll cover everything you need to know about planning permission for your summer house in the UK.
Table of Contents
- Do you need planning permission for a summer house?
- Do I need a Lawful Development Certificate for a summer house?
- What are the Permitted Development Rules for summer houses?
- How to get planning permission for a summer house
- Dealing with difficult neighbours when installing a summerhouse
- Can my neighbour object to my summer house if I need planning permission?
Do you need planning permission for a summer house?
In most cases, you can build your summer house without needing formal permission from your local council.
Usually, outbuildings like sheds, greenhouses, and summer houses fall under Permitted Development, meaning they don't need planning permission as long as they meet certain requirements.
To ensure a summer house stays exempt from planning permission the structure should:
Take up no more than half of the total land area around your original house;
Be single-storey with eaves no higher than 2.5m
Have an overall height of either 4m for roofs with two slopes or 3m for other roof types;
Not be used for sleeping;
Not be placed within the grounds of a listed building.
While these criteria give a general idea, it's a good idea to check with your local council before starting construction, especially in conservation areas, National Parks, and areas of outstanding beauty where additional rules may apply.
Do I need a Lawful Development Certificate for a summer house?
A Lawful Development Certificate, issued by the council, confirms the legal status of a summer house or garden room.
If you plan to sell your house, solicitors representing potential buyers will need proof that the summer house is lawful. The certificate serves as evidence that any work being done is legal, which can be useful if a neighbour were to take exception to a summer house and raise complaints about the construction.
What are the Permitted Development Rules for summer houses?
When considering a summerhouse, it's important to know the regulations outlined in the Class E building rules, as these guidelines provide advice on building a summerhouse without the need for planning permission.
A Class E building is a separate structure from your main home, mainly for personal enjoyment rather than a living space. This means it shouldn't have sleeping areas.
Summerhouses should also not take up more than 50% of your property's size, including the garden area, and it shouldn't be in front of or next to your main home, or overlook public roads or footpaths.
Single-storey summer house designs, without verandas or balconies, are compliant with Class E rules. However, there's flexibility in positioning your summer house on garden decking if the decking is less than 0.3 meters high.
How to get planning permission for a summer house
If you find that you need planning permission for your summer house, you should first make a planning application to your local council. This involves filling out an application form and providing important documents like site location plans, architectural drawings, and blueprints of the proposed structure.
You might also need to include a heritage impact statement if your structure will be in a historically listed area.
There is a fee for applying, and the response times from the council can vary.
It's also a good idea to talk to any neighbours who might be affected by your plans to build a summerhouse before applying for planning permission.
Dealing with difficult neighbours when installing a summerhouse
As long as you follow the permitted development guidelines for planning, there's not much neighbours can do about a summerhouse.
The only time you might encounter trickier issues is if you're violating permitted development regulations. In these cases, you'll need to get planning permission before building it.
Can my neighbour object to my summer house if I need planning permission?
Neighbours can object to your summerhouse if you need planning permission but they need to have substantial reasons, like if the building obstructs their view or impacts their right to light significantly.
Deciding whether you need planning permission for your summerhouse depends on factors like its size, location, and purpose, along with regional and local regulations.
Usually, summerhouses fall under permitted development and don't require permission, but it is a good idea to read and understand the regulations to avoid any disputes or objections from your neighbours.
At Lawhive, our network of expert property solicitors is on hand to provide legal advice relating to planning permission and support you in your application if needed.
Or, if you're having trouble with your neighbour related to a summerhouse, such as a boundary dispute or right to light dispute, we can help too.
For assistance, reach out to our legal assessment team for a free case evaluation and a free quote for expert advice from our solicitors within 48 hours.