What are the planning regulations specific to granny flats?
A few of the planning permission laws to keep in mind when building a granny flat are:
• It must not be more than half the available area of land to be built on
• Materials used to build the granny flat must be like those used for the original house
• When within two metres of any boundary the eaves cannot be higher than three metres
• The granny flat must not exceed more than four metres of a detached property if attached to the
original house
What type of planning application do I need to submit to the council to gain approval for a granny annexe?
There are four main types of planning application in the UK, they are:
- Full application
- Householder application,
- Outline application
- Reserved matters application
A full planning application is the most common type in England, UK.
It involves the submission of the complete details of the development being proposed, and the detailed drawings that show the site being developed on. Householder application is for homeowners that want to carry out developments in their homes or in their gardens, all the details of the development will be submitted in one application.
Outline application is done as a preliminary check to see if the development will be approved before a fully detailed planning permission proposal is submitted. This is usually done for larger schemes such as new housing developments.
Reserved matters application is submitted once outline planning permission has been approved of.
Reserved matter application must be submitted to the council before construction starts.
This usually will include all the information about the development such as floor plan layout, size, access points, façade details, etc.
However, for a granny flat the planning permission application required is House holder application in most cases as they classify as outbuildings for dwelling.
There are certain cases that planning permission is not needed but this will have to fall under the category known as permitted development.
Planning Permission for granny flat in conservation area/listed building.
If a granny flat is being built in the backdrop of a listed building or it is in a conservation area the council will require further details to consider the planning application permission.
In these cases, application should be for full planning permission and usually condition is attached to this if approved.
Any work that affects the character of a listed building will require listed building consent from your local council.
Most common reason planning permission is rejected
In certain situations, granny houses planning permission is denied which is why it is advised to hire a professional when designing one as they are trained professionals.
They will be able to guide you and provide the relevant drawings needed to apply for planning permission.
The most common reason why planning permission is denied is usually the size of the granny flat.
Usually, the granny flat is seen as too big in relation to the size of the area available to be built on, or too big when compared to the main home.
To increase your chances of obtaining planning permission try to follow these simple rules:
• Carry out a site survey on the land being built on and this should be done by a professional architecture firm
• It is better to leave the plans and drawings that will be submitted to your local council in the hands of a professional and don’t try to do it by yourself as refusal is a long process to appeal.
• Get advice from professionals and book consultations with architects that can give you the right advice
By following this advice, you can make the planning permission application process easier for your granny flat.
Permission planning applications usually depends on the planning officer’s opinion on whether the building should be allowed to commence.
The planning laws in the UK are open to personal interpretation and so many variables. If planning application is denied, appealing the decision could take another 6 months.
Alternatives to building a granny flat
There are ways to get around not applying for full planning permission, another popular route is the Caravan Sites Act.
A typical granny flat would require a foundation and would be a fixed fixture ideally in the garden.
Granny flats that can move and are not fixed to the ground fall under the Caravan Sites Act.
Is planning permission required for a granny flat?
The cost to build these is usually less and the planning application process is not as complicated. It can easily be sold to another family and can be transported to another home if the family decides to move in the future.
Whether you decide to build a movable granny flat or a fixed one it is still recommended to obtain a Lawful Development Certificate to avoid any issues in the future with your new investment.
Things to consider
Once you have decided that a granny flat is the right type of extension for you there are certain points to consider as you commence on this project.
Although not seen as the most ambitious construction that could occur in your back garden it can become a stressful process if not considered properly.
The list of advice given below if followed will ensure that you have a new granny flat to enjoy within a few months:
• Hire an architecture profressional or consultant, although you can carry out the drawings yourself, your chances of getting planning permission will greatly increase.
• An on-site consultation is advised as this will enable the architect to give you the right advice of what your options are.
• Existing building drawings can be drawn up by the architect which you can use to inform your design idea.
• Planning drawings should be drawn by an architect with your needs being the inspiration behind
them.
• While you wait for a decision from your local council you can begin to consider hiring a builder.
If approved be prepared for inspection checks to ensure that the new granny flat meets building regulations.
Conclusion
With the rise of granny flats in the UK and the benefits they have it is not surprising that they are becoming a suitable solution to many problems that modern day families face.
They do require planning permission since they are a dwelling space that is typically built away from the main home.
But if they meet building regulations and they are approved by the local council they are a tremendous project to begin.
House holder planning applications ensure that the granny flat is approved by the local council and a Lawful Development Certificate will enable the project to carry on without any interruptions from the council.
Although planning permission application can be denied if the size of the granny flat is not considerate to the surrounding environment, if simple rules are followed this can be avoided and alternatives such as caravans can be used to ensure that you still get your ideal granny flat.