Planning Assistance

Scotts of Thrapston is often asked about planning requirements for installing summerhouses and gazebos.

Generally, in most areas, planning permission is not required for any garden buildings with a use incidental to the enjoyment of the house provided that:

• The total area of the summerhouse or building does not cover more than half of the total area of the garden (excluding the area of the original house)
• The height of the building does not exceed 4 metres with a pitched roof or 3 metres for a flat roof or in any other case
• No part of the building projects beyond any wall of the house which fronts onto a road or footpath
• The building is situated 5m away from the house. Or if any part of the building is within 5 metres of the house, it should not have a cubic content (length x width x height external measurements) greater than 10 cubic metres
• It contains no sleeping accommodation and the total floor area does not exceed 15 square metres
• There is not a planning condition attached to the original planning consent for the property stating that no sheds or other structures can be erected without the prior approval of the local planning authority
• The property is not in a conservation area, area of outstanding natural beauty or similar
• The property is not a listed building

Although we cannot definitively express whether planning will be required for each individual case, we have provided the guideline list above to assist our customers. These guidelines are only intended to give an overview of the regulations but may be subject to changes in legislation.

If, however, you have any doubts it is always advisable to phone your local planning authority for specific advice concerning your property, as it is your responsibility to gain necessary planning permission before installing any external garden building.

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