Do You Need Planning Permission for a Garden Room in the UK?
Garden Rooms and Permitted Development
Most garden rooms from Keops are designed to comply with UK Permitted Development (PD) rules, which allow certain outbuildings without planning permission. The height of the outbuilding will depend on the proximity to boundaries that it is sited.
To qualify, your garden room must:
If building within 2.0m of a boundary then the outbuilding must be under 2.5 metres in overall height (from ground to roof apex or flat roof top)
If building more than 2.0m from a boundary then the outbuilding can measure up to a 2.5m max eaves height and 4.0m ridge height assuming a dual pitched roof. Or up to 3.0m max height with any other type of roof.
Not be located forward of your home's principal elevation (i.e. not in the front garden).
Not take up more than 50% of the land around your original house (excluding extensions).
Be used for incidental purposes (e.g. home office, studio, gym), not separate self-contained living.
When Might You Need Permission?
Planning permission might be required if:
Your property is listed or in a designated area (e.g. National Park or AONB).
You’re planning to use it as a permanent residence or Airbnb - unless you choose to go down the route of a Keops mobile home.
What About Building Regulations?
Planning permission is different from Building Regulations. Keops can design garden rooms to meet full Building Regs if required.
How Keops Makes It Easier
We’ll advise on layout and height to keep you within PD.
We can help guide you on how to apply, if needed.
We have years of experience building for every kind of use including home offices, studios and gyms.
