What you Need to Know About Garden Rooms in London

Garden Rooms in London Explained

Whether you’ve outgrown your existing space or are looking to install a separate office, gym or studio, a garden room might be the perfect option to meet your needs. Garden rooms are practical, convenient and can add value to your property, so here’s everything you need to know about these innovative spaces.

What are the Planning Rules for Garden Rooms?

For many, garden rooms will be classified as outbuildings and will not require planning permission as they fall under permitted development rights. A garden room will get the green light from local councils so long as it meets certain criteria. It’s a permitted development if:

• It’s a single story with a maximum eaves height of 2.5 metres and with a maximum overall height of four metres with a dual pitched roof or three metres for any other roof.
• It’s not built on land forward of a wall forming the principal elevation
• It has a maximum height of 2.5 metres in the case of a building, enclosure or container within two metres of a boundary of the curtilage of the dwelling/house.
• It has no verandas, balconies or raised platforms.
• It’s located on no more than half the area of land around the original house.

If you’re unsure about any of the above, it’s a good idea to speak to experienced architects for luxury homes in London, who can help and advise accordingly.

When Might I Need Planning Permission?

Permitted development rights do not apply to flats, maisonnettes, converted houses, some new buildings, listed buildings, and homes in conservation areas. If you live in one of these property types, you’ll need to seek planning permission. You’ll also need planning permission if you want to sleep in the garden room regularly or want to create completely separate accommodation such as an annexe. You won’t need it if you just plan to host guests occasionally. Anything that looks like a bedroom more than a garden room will struggle to pass under permitted development rules, so it’s worth keeping this in mind.

For peace of mind, you can always apply for a Lawful Development Certificate to prove that your garden room was a permitted development. This can be a useful document to show to new buyers as it indicates they won’t have any problems with the outbuilding in the future.

Do I Need an Architect?

When creating Garden Room architectural plans, it’s a good idea to work with a professional. Experienced architects understand the rules and regulations and will help you to come up with a unique garden room design. Contact The Architects of London today for help and advice. With offices in Kensington, Chiswick, Romford and Hampstead, we’re happy to assess your London-based property and create a garden room you can be proud of. We have experienced garden room designers, whose work you can find here.