Permitted development rights for outbuildings? Even the Doctor needs permission.
It’s not every day you pass a space ship parked on the side of the road.
Even The Doctor needs Planning consent
Whether you’re the Doctor, or any other member of the public, planning rules apply to the construction of new buildings – even TARDIS’s. While the real Doctor may be able to move in both time and space, those who are less celestial are likely to find themselves in trouble with the local Planning Authority if they park their TARDIS in an inappropriate location! Permitted Development Rights for outbuildings may come to the rescue.
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Many people are unaware that to build anything in England, you have to have planning permission. Usually, with outbuildings like garden sheds and TARDIS’s, this permission comes in the form of regulations from Government that permit development but you’ll have to follow certain rules. However, these don’t always apply, so you need to be cautious before proceeding. It may be that you’ll need planning permission issued by the local planning authority – usually the Council.
Permitted Development?
Permitted Development Rights under Class E allow for outbuildings within the curtilage of a house – but not flats. You also cannot build if you live in a Conservation Area, your home is listed, or you are in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a National Park, or the Broads.
Class E has further size and location restrictions. A building must be less than 2.5m in height if built within 2m of a boundary; it cannot cover more than 50% of the garden space originally provided for the house; if built away from the boundary, it should not be more than 2.5m to the eaves, 3m in height, unless it’s built with a dual pitched roof, when it can be 4m. You cannot build in front of the ‘principle elevation’ of your home. This is usually the elevation that faces the road, and includes the front door. In some cases it may be more complex.
Take advice from a qualified town planner
Planning is always site specific so it is always worth taking professional advice. Many local councils will have a Duty Planner Service, or you can consult an RTPI accredited planning consultant – most will provide some initial advice for free. You can contact a Chartered Town Planner here at Norton Taylor Nunn Ltd, or ask us to Call You Back at a time that suits you!
Be sensible!
In the photo of the TARDIS above, you cannot see that it is related to a home. It is built between the principal elevation and the road, so it would undoubtedly require planning permission. We wouldn’t advise the homeowner to argue that, as a space ship, it is a temporary structure, or as a time machine, it’s technically been there since pre-1948 (or at least 10 years), and consequently does not require planning permission in any event. Council’s are unlikely to take these arguments seriously! We can, however, usually make a case for retention of a building with a retrospective application if this is necessary.
Be careful with the rules – even the Doctor can find themselves fined for breaking planning rules!
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