A GARDENING expert has revealed three hidden planning rules that could see you fined for garden renovations – here’s how to not be caught out.
Award-winning landscape expert Bunny Guinness said these tips should spare you a bruising run-in with your council’s planning department.
1
Bunny said the most common misconception when it comes to building in your backyard is that you don’t need permission because it’s on your property, she told The Telegraph.
Also known as permitted development rights, this allow owners to construct sheds, outdoor offices, pavings and fences so long as they comply with set size limits and you do not live in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a conservation area, a National Park, a World Heritage Site, or the Norfolk or Suffolk Broads.
The seasoned garden expert said people often mistake the whole of their garden to under their curtilage and are often caught out.
Sometime outlaying area, such as an old orchard or paddock, can be deemed agricultural land rather than garden and means you won’t be automatically covered by development rights.
To avoid this, Bunny suggests checking in with your local development officer to avoid and unnecessary and costly run-ins with the council.
When it comes to garden sheds, these fall within permitted development rights – that is, they don’t necessarily need planning permission – if they are no bigger than 15 sq m, aren’t used for sleeping in or do not take up more than 50 percent of the garden.
Wildlife pools are slightly different and depend on just how much soil you’re removing so it’s best to check in with your local planning officer first.
A rule-of-thumb when it comes to tree houses is that if it’s a large structure for your kids then it’s pretty much guaranteed you’ll need permission to built, Bunny said.
Most read in The Sun
But if you keep them 2m from the boundary and keep the height down to 4m then it might not be necessary, though always seek the advice of your local planning department before getting started.
Pathways larger than 5 sq m must be made of impermeable material like stone and steps must be taken to ensure rainwater run-off flows into beds or grass areas. If you can’t, you will need permission.
Regardless what you choose to do, Bunny recommends that you always check in with your local planning officer first and foremost.
If you’re unsure whether you need planning permission or listed-building permission then getting clarify from a council official will help.
The next top is to ensure the whole garden is within you’re curtilage – that is, the area of land attached and enclosed to your house.
If some is not then you’ll not have permitted development rights and will need permission.
And lastly, discuss your proposals with neighbours before lodging your planning application.
If they object to a design that’s likely to affect them then it may give you time to pacify them by altering it in the early stages.
