Jan62025
Bespoke-Timber-Workshop-in-a-garden

Thinking about building a workshop in your garden? Whether it’s for hobbies, DIY projects, or creating the ultimate space to tackle larger household tasks, a workshop offers so much more than just a glorified shed. Unlike traditional garden sheds, workshops are built with advanced design and construction in mind—often featuring larger floorplans, multiple rooms, and the durability to support heavy-duty equipment or vehicles. But before you start planning your perfect workshop for personal use, it’s important to know if you’ll need planning permission.

Simply put, planning approval is required for certain garden workshops, but most do not require approval.

Let’s explore what is required and ensure your dream workshop becomes a reality without any unexpected hurdles. By the end of the blog, you should be able to determine whether your planned workshop project needs planning permission or not.

Planning approval is required for certain garden workshops, but most do not require approval.

Permitted Development Rights Apply To Garden Workshops

Permitted Development Rights are a set of rules that allow homeowners to make certain changes to their property without needing to apply for planning permission. When it comes to building a garden workshop for personal use, these rights often apply, as long as your project stays within specific guidelines set by the local planning authority. Here’s how they relate to garden workshops:

Key Rules for Permitted Development

Purpose:

  • The workshop must be for personal use, such as hobbies or DIY, not for running a business or commercial activities.

Size:

  • The total area covered by all outbuildings (including the workshop) cannot exceed 50% of the total land around the original house (the house as it stood when first built or as it was on July 1, 1948).

Height:

  • The workshop cannot exceed 4 metres in height if it has a dual-pitched roof.
  • If it has a flat roof, the height limit is 3 metres.
  • The eaves (the edge where the roof meets the walls) must not be higher than 2.5 metres if the building is within 2 metres of the property boundary.

Location:

  • The workshop cannot be built in front of the principal elevation of your house (the side facing the main road).
  • If you live in a listed building, conservation area, national park, or an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, additional restrictions may apply.

Use:

  • The workshop must not include sleeping accommodation or be used as a separate residence.

When Planning Permission Is Needed

If your garden workshop exceeds these size or height limits, is located in a sensitive area, or is intended for business purposes, you’ll need to apply for planning permission. Additionally, if you plan to install utilities such as plumbing or electrical systems, Building Regulations may apply.

By staying within the scope of Permitted Development Rights, you can often avoid the need for planning permission and proceed with your project smoothly. However, it’s always a good idea to check with your local council to ensure compliance.

Contact National Timber Buildings



    What Happens If You Violate Permitted Development Rules While Building A Garden Workshop?

    If your project doesn’t fall within permitted development rules and you proceed with the build anyway without the necessary permission, there could be serious associated consequences.

    If the local council becomes aware of the breach, they may ask you to apply for retrospective planning permission. This allows the council to assess whether the workshop complies with planning policies after it’s already built. However, there’s no guarantee the permission will be granted, especially if the workshop significantly violates the rules.

    If retrospective planning permission is denied, or if you fail to apply for it, the council may issue an enforcement notice. This notice legally requires you to make changes to bring the structure into compliance, which could involve altering, downsizing, or even removing the workshop entirely. Ignoring an enforcement notice can result in fines or legal action.

    In severe cases, you may be ordered to demolish the workshop entirely. This can be both costly and time-consuming, as you’ll have to bear the expense of dismantling the structure and potentially restoring the land to its original state.

    ALWAYS RESEARCH LOCAL PLANNING RULES AND PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS BEFORE STARTING CONSTRUCTION. CONTACT YOUR COUNCIL FOR CLARIFICATION.

    IF YOUR PROJECT DOESN’T MEET PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES, ALWAYS SUBMIT AN APPLICATION AND WAIT FOR APRROVAL BEFORE COMMENCING ANY WORK.

    Permitted development rules do not just apply to garden workshops – garages, sheds, and summerhouses are among the other domestic outbuildings covered by them too. In fact, “Outbuildings” is the umbrella term here. For detailed information read our comprehensive guide to Permitted Development rights for Outbuildings.

    The Gov.uk website and PlanningPortal.co.uk both offer great advice too.

    If you are looking for a trusted company to design and build your new timber workshop, who boast years of experience and expert craftmanship, the team at National Timber can help you. We’ll even take care of all the planning drawings and application process if required. Contact us at your convenience and we’ll take care of the rest!