This means that generally, if an outbuilding meets those requirements, it won’t need planning permission. However, Councils can withdraw these ‘permitted development’ rights, meaning that planning permission would be required, so it is always best to check first.

The Council will confirm whether or not planning permission is needed by issuing a ‘Certificate of Lawful Development’ in response to an application. This is a much cheaper and quicker process than applying for planning permission.

Permitted development rights do not apply to:

• Buildings within the gardens of flats
• Buildings that will be used for sleeping accommodation
• Buildings within the grounds of a Listed Building

In these cases, planning permission will always be required.

The following requirements need to meet to avoid the need for planning permission:

• The total area of ground covered by buildings cannot be more than half the ‘curtilage’ of the property (this area includes front, side and rear gardens, but not the original house).
• The outbuilding cannot be located in front of the main house.
• The building can only have one storey (this means that it cannot have a useable basement or loft area.
• The building cannot be taller than:
  • 2.5 metres if any part of the building is within 2 metres of a boundary; or
  • 4 metres for a building with a pitched roof; or 3 meters in any other case.
• The ‘eaves’ height (the point where the walls of the building meet the roof) of the building cannot exceed 2.5 metres.
• The building cannot include a veranda, balcony or raised platform;
• If the Property is located within a Conservation Area, the outbuilding may not be situated on land to the side of the house.
• If the Property is located in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; the Broads; a National Park; or a World Heritage Site, the total area of ground covered by buildings, enclosures, pools and containers situated more than 20 metres from any wall of the house cannot exceed 10 square metres.