Planning Permission is NOT normally required for a Garden Annexe

Every Garden Annexe, despite its weight and heft, is designed and manufactured in compliance as a hybrid structure that can be moved by crane, once built, at any time in 1 or 2 pieces, in practice or in theory.

We demonstrate to all parties, through structural drawings and video evidence the moveability of each annexe. Consequently your Garden Annexe is considered as a chattel (or movable structure) and therefore does not require planning permission in most locations.

For your peace of mind however, we recommend our in-house service whereby we secure a Lawful Development Certificate on your behalf.

We use all appropriate legislation to ensure your Garden Annexe is legitimately installed in your chosen location.

Call us on 0800 368 9781 to discuss your own specific circumstances and we will advise you accordingly

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Planning Permission for Hybrid Garden Annexes

A hybrid annexe (which has the relevant, intentional legislative similarities with a caravan, whether it is “touring” or “static” or a large twin-size “mobile home”) is regarded as an article of movable personal property known as a ‘chattel’ and there is no public law preventing one being kept in someone’s garden. However, there are laws that regulate the ‘Use’ of land.

The siting of a caravan within the garden of a property does not require express consent provided a ‘material change of use’ has not occurred. Gardens are used for the enjoyment of the main dwelling house.

If a hybrid annexe is sited in a garden and used by members of the household in connection to the enjoyment of the house or as extra accommodation for visiting guests, provided the occupants continue to use the facilities of the house, then the siting of the caravan has not changed the ‘use’ of the land.

However, Planning Permission will be required if a hybrid annexe is:

• used as business premises

• separately rented out

• used as a primary independent dwelling (with no relation to the main house)

In these cases the Local Planning Authority could decide that an unauthorised ‘material change of use’ has occurred, for which planning permission will be required. We will advise you and in such a case we will submit a planning application on your behalf.

In general, hybrid annexes and caravans can be sited and used in a garden without the need for express planning consent.

If the use of the hybrid annex is not considered part of (or “incidental” to) the main house, then a ‘material change of use’ may have occurred and we will submit a planning application accordingly.

In conclusion, in most case the use of garden annexe is considered incidental - and therefore we simply recommend that we apply for a Lawful Development Certificate for the users peace of mind.