|
In most cases you do not need planning permission to install garden office or garden building in your garden, providing your garden office meets the following criteria. If in doubt please speak to your local council.
* The garden building / office is not in the grounds of a listed building or in a conservation area
* The building is not within 5m of your house
* Garden buildings greater than 15 sq metres should be sited at least 1 metre from any boundary
* Garden buildings over 30 sq metres may require planning permission
* The garden office / building should be in your back garden
* The height of the roof ridge does not exceed 4m at the highest point in your garden
* The footprint of the garden building does not cover more than 50% of your grounds
* The garden building must be used by the occupants of the main house
Your garden building can be used as a garden office, garden fun room, garden studio, pool room outdoor gym or just a special space for the kids to chill out.
It is always a good idea to let your neighbours know about your plans to erect an office in your garden, this can save a lot of aggravation.
These are guidelines, if you are in any doubt about compliance you should contact your local planning authority before any work commences. If required we can provide you with 1:50 scaled elevation and plan drawings to accompany a planning application, at a cost of £175 including VAT.
Things to consider when planning a garden building
Like any project the detail can be overwhelming, but if thought out carefully and planned it can be fun - remember we are always there to help you with those tricky decisions. Drawing up a list will help you to keep control of your decisions and most importantly the changes that take place as the project evolves. Getting the final product 100% right for you is worth the effort, so much so you will be looking for another building project when you have completed the first.
The Detail
In the early stages of thinking about a garden building or garden office you will be focus on where in the garden, how big, how much etc. You might have a tight budget, but if it is not big enough you have wasted your money - also plan for the future, especially if it is a garden office as you may expand your business sooner than you may think. Remember your garden building will increase the value of your property and even more so if it is a garden office.
As the planning phase of the project matures you will need to think about the following:
* Style i.e. rustic or traditional
* Placement of the doors and windows
* Type & size of windows - UPVC or wooden
* Colours of roof tiles, outside & inside walls
* Type of roof covering - Clay, slate or felt tiles
* Will I need a decked patio
* What about a pathway from the house
* Will I be using the garden building for other uses - like a Gym, fun space for the kids etc
Internals
* Type of flooring - carpet, laminate or solid wood
* Will I need skirting boards - they look neater
* Type of lighting - Spotlights, recessed lighting or halogen
* Power points - how many and where
* Furniture and desks - what type and where - modular or fixed
* You will need electricity for heating and lighting
* Broadband and phone - will a wireless network connection work for me. Some companies will not allow their staff to use wireless networks
* Toilets - most people don't install them, but you may think differently
* Built in cupboards - great way to keep things tidy especially if your garden office will be used for other purposes
* Alarm - must have if you have valuable equipment
* Exterior sensor light - acts as a deterrent
* Will I need sound insulation
* Heating - you will need heating, usually a wall mounted convection heater with a thermostat and timer. Underfloor heating is a good option if your garden building is used as a studio for yoga, beauty or physical therapy etc. More expensive but worth it as you will be charging your clients they need to feel you are providing the most comfortable environment.
Where
Small gardens do not often allow too many positions. Remember your garden building will look bigger than you initially think. If you have a larger garden then not too far from the house as you will most probably be popping to and fro for a cup of tea etc.
Your Neighbours
Your garden building once built will look much bigger than you first imagine. Think about the placement and size from your neighbours perspective and speak to them about what you are planning. Most neighbours are accommodating if you keep them informed.
With all this said these decisions are made easier by our experience which we share with you, also a lot decisions can be made in the construction phase when the building is no longer an image in your mind, this eases the pressure - another very good reason for having your garden building, built onsite.
|
