Garden Room Building in Aberdeen: Navigating Planning Permission and Permitted Development

If you’re considering building a garden room in Aberdeen, one of the first things you’ll need to consider is whether you need planning permission. Planning permission for garden rooms can be a complex issue, but it’s important to understand the rules and regulations in order to avoid any potential issues. Here’s what you need to know:

Planning Permission for Garden Rooms

In Aberdeen, planning permission is generally required for any new building or structure, including a garden room, unless it falls under the category of permitted development. Permitted development is a set of rules that allows certain types of construction work to be carried out without planning permission, provided that specific criteria are met.

To determine whether your garden room will require planning permission, you should consider the following criteria:

• Size: Garden rooms that are less than 4 meters in height and have a floor space of less than 30 square meters are generally considered to be permitted developments. If the garden room exceeds these size limits, planning permission may be required.
• Location: Garden rooms that are located more than 1 meter from the boundary of the property are generally considered to be permitted developments. If the garden room is located within 1 meter of the boundary, planning permission may be required.
• Appearance: Garden rooms that are designed to be in keeping with the appearance of the existing property, and do not create a dominant or intrusive feature, are generally considered to be permitted developments. If the garden room is not in keeping with the appearance of the property or creates a dominant feature, planning permission may be required.
• Use: Garden rooms that are intended to be used for domestic purposes, such as a home office or gym, are generally considered to be permitted developments. If the garden room is intended to be used for commercial purposes, planning permission may be required.

Permitted Development for Garden Rooms

If your garden room meets the criteria for permitted development, you can generally proceed with the construction without planning permission. However, it’s important to note that there are still some restrictions that apply, including:

• The garden room must not take up more than 50% of the total garden area.
• The garden room must not be used as a separate dwelling or for commercial purposes.
• The garden room must not be located in a conservation area, national park, or other protected area.

Building Regulations

Even if your garden room does not require planning permission, it must still comply with all relevant building regulations, including those related to safety, energy efficiency, and accessibility. It’s important to ensure that your garden room is built to a high standard and that it meets all the necessary requirements.

In conclusion, planning permission for garden rooms can be a complex issue, but by understanding the rules and regulations, you can ensure that your project proceeds smoothly and without any issues. If you’re unsure about whether your garden room requires planning permission or if you need advice on building regulations, it’s always a good idea to consult with a professional builder or architect and your local planning authority.

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