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If you have excess space within your back garden, then there are plenty of possible additions – be it a play area for the kids, a decked out seating area for socialising or even an extension to your current build. Though each of these are a fantastic option in their own right, the appeal of garden offices looks set to continue into 2024, alongside an increased focus on remote working and out-of-office employment.
Such structures may seem like an unlikely prospect if your garden is smaller, or if you have an unconventional space behind your home, but rest assured that at Fitrite, we can come up with a satisfactory solution, while remaining compliant so planning permission isn’t required.
Within this article, we’ll take a look at the conditions to fulfil if you aren’t keen to delve into a lengthy planning application – with many premium garden buildings erected by us and completed in a matter of days or weeks!
Garden offices are a fantastic choice for an array of users, from the busy professional seeking respite from their jumbled work from home set-up, to the business owner not keen on renting costly commercial space, and instead opting for a convenient working location just metres away from the house.
Growing in popularity, and adapted to the particular needs of whoever is using it, a garden office can come in the form of everything from a smaller cabin, to a large, spacious and comfortable outhouse – though the conditions of this do have to meet certain criteria, which we’ll get into further into this blog.
Benefits of such a room are plentiful, not only adding value to your home, but also enhancing visual appeal and creating a superior link between your working and domestic life. By following guidance, you can cut down the cost of an extension job as well, simultaneously shortening the process of an outhouse being constructed, and in an ideal world – doing so without seeking planning permission.
Cheaper, more environmentally friendly and less intrusive than having an extension built, this popular option has become a favourite for professionals around the UK. Even better? Garden office spaces can even benefit your career. The majority of hybrid workers surveyed in a recent study by RingCentral revealed that 51 per cent of respondents feel more productive when working from home spaces, rather than in a busy office.
The initial steps to take when exploring garden office options is to cast your eye over previous projects, actively look around for inspiration and take into account the limitations of your space too.
There are a number of distinctions which could make your back garden a poor fit for a garden office, especially if you’re looking to have one erected without seeking local authority planning permission. Consulting professionals or your local authority beforehand can certainly prove beneficial, giving you advance notice of any potential points of contention.
Changes that fall under the definition of ‘developments’ require planning permission in advance, and these can vary in size, scale and appearance. They may include construction projects, building demolitions, or even just repurposing already-existing structures. In any case, it’s best to get in touch with your local planning department before moving forward if you have any doubts at all.
In the event that you do proceed with a project that needs planning permission without first receiving approval, you might even be required to demolish any associated building work – so remain vigilant.
As frustrating as it may be, all outbuildings are subject to UK planning regulations, with no exemptions or special exceptions. This doesn’t mean that all is lost though, and if you want to quickly have a resourceful outbuilding installed, this is certainly achievable.
If the space meets a set of strict criteria, you won’t always need to obtain planning permission in advance, and this is thanks to what are known as ‘permitted development’ rules.
Assessing your garden space and the type of office you would like beforehand are key, as jumping the gun could have some serious consequences as just described. Accounting for the height, area the building will take up and even the intended use, take a look through some of the key considerations – otherwise you may well need to apply for planning permission in advance:
Height is one of the more important elements when looking to begin a project and not wanting to endure the drawn out process of seeking planning permission. Your garden office must always be single-story and have a maximum height of no more than 2.5 metres from ground level.
When building within 2 metres of the garden boundary this is especially crucial, so bear in mind that the total height of your garden room, including the roof and any features is explicitly limited to 2.5 metres at all times.
More specifically, legislation states that the structure must overall reach a maximum eaves height of 2.5 metres, a maximum overall height of 4 metres with a dual pitched roof, or 3 metres in any other case.
Guidelines restrict you from building on an area that is larger than 50% of the land around your house, and if you’re looking to exceed this area, outbuilding planning permission will need to be granted by local authorities.
This even includes any previous home extensions or outbuildings built on the property since 1948, so if your garden area already contains an extension installed by past tenants, this should be included within the calculation.
Location matters, and you must not build your garden room in front of the principal elevation of the house (the front garden space for example) or to the side of your house (a section of land beside your home) without first applying for planning permission.
It must also not be built closer to the public road or footpath than the property itself, so plans for a garden office which swings out to the side and extends past the front-most point of your home would need to be overseen by authorities first.
In general, you are permitted to use a garden room without planning permission for daily living and workplace matters, however are not allowed to use it for overnight or self-contained living accommodation, as this changes the purpose of the structure altogether.
A garden office should be used as an extension of the home, and not as an alternative – with any deviation from this rule likely to land you in hot water with planning authorities.
Aside from dedicated office spaces, we’re seeing more and more people turn towards their exterior garden for fitted recreational rooms, workout spaces and childrens playhouses. With Fitrite at the forefront of such projects throughout the UK, having your ideal bespoke structure fitted is just a matter of picking up the phone and arranging a consultation.
Crafted from steel structural frames and FSC®-certified Upvc cladding, all of our permitted development garden rooms are built using high energy efficient building materials to create a warm, dry space for you to enjoy all year. Paired with decking, fencing and balustrades to match, your garden office space can correspond fantastically with the surrounding assets.
Sturdy and viable for years to come, utilising a steel structure adds structural integrity to our outbuildings, meaning they won’t rot, warp, split, crack or creep, failing to expand or contract when intrusive moisture enters.
On the visual side, the ability to customise your garden room to suit your style and needs is advantageous, and Fitrite’s installations become a unique and practical addition that maximise your outdoor space – repurposed at the click of your fingers.
Working with the best contractors in your area means a greater chance of success, and you can rely on Fitrite’s experienced staff to support you at every turn – from installation and maintenance to recommendations and beyond.
If you want the best PVC decking, fencing, and balustrades installed in your garden space, we’re the nationwide company to trust with your project, taking pride in providing a wide variety of styles and finishes to suit every taste and architectural preference. We have depots across the country for superior convenience too.
For the proud homeowner looking for something truly unique, our selection of uPVC and composite decking options guarantee minimal maintenance requirements, improving the visual appeal of your outdoor space. Reach out to us right now to find out why we’re regarded both nationally and locally.
