There are a surprisingly large number of considerations when planning your 

new garden room; the design and specification of the room itself, how it will 

be used and of course budget. It goes without saying that choosing the right 

spot for your new room is pretty crucial too, if you want to get the most 

enjoyment from it, or even avoid having to move it!

Most important of all is understanding your legal obligations in respect of

planning and building regulations. In Oct 2008, new regulations came into effect 

which considers outbuildings to be permitted development (not needing planning 

permission) subject to a few limits and conditions. If you wish to avoid the planning 

process these conditions need to be met, although many people decide that they 

require a building that falls outside of permitted development and submit successful 

applications. Full details can be found on the planning portal website at 

www.planningportal.gov.uk but here a few useful guidelines:

Siting your room to the front of your property generally requires planning permission.

Most people prefer their garden room to be in the back garden and unless your 

property is a listed building, or is situated in a national park or area of oustanding 

beauty this is permitted ...with a few buts! 

If your garden room is less than 2 meters from any boundary line then the height

is restricted to 2.5m. More than 2m away from a boundary and the maximum height

for a dual pitch roof increases to 4m and 3m for a mono pitch roof.

The building shouldn’t be larger than 30m2 or occupy more than 50% of the garden.

The building should not be used for accommodation such as a granny annex etc.

Building regulations also apply if the room is more than 15m2 and less than a meter

from the boundary in respect of the spread of fire.

Planning issues aside there are other important points to consider before you decide 

on the best position for your room. Light and shade can dramatically change the way 

your room will feel and perform. Depending on what the room will be used for, it often

makes sense to have windows on the south and west elevations to capture natural 

heat (solar gain) and light from the sun rather than on the north and east elevations 

which will be cooler. 

Positioning the building under the canopy of trees can be used to create shade when 

necessary or frame the building - sometimes where there is limited space this can be 

unavoidable, especially if the trees are large or protected. Two issues to consider 

though are the build up of leaves and debris on the structure or sticky residues from 

certain trees. The root system, may also complicate the groundworks stage of the build.

The view to and from the building is also very important. Framing a great view from 

your garden room can make all the difference.

Do you want the building to be a key design feature in the garden and make a statement 

or a descreet addition where privacy is important? Often a new garden room can be the 

main element in a new garden design scheme - sometimes it needs to blend 

unassumingly into a well established landscape.

Ground conditions and access are obvious areas to think about - if you position 

your amazing new building at the far end of the garden will you need a pathway to 

avoid muddy footprints? Remember too that you need to link the building to an

existing electric supply! If you are installing the room in the summer think about how

access will be affected in the winter. Is the sloping part of the garden really the best 

place when other ares are level? Sloping sites are a challenge rather than impossible 

but challenges tend to be more expensive!

Last but definetly not least you will want your new garden room to make a positive 

addition to your lifestyle - somewhere you can relax. A happy neighbour can only help!