Garden Structures

Conditions

The erection of garden structures, such as sheds, greenhouses, decking and even swimming pools, tends not to require permission in the majority of cases, assuming that they are over 5 metres away from the dwelling.  Permission is likely to be required if any of the following circumstances apply:

  • The ground area of the structure covers more than 50% of the total ground area within the curtilage of the dwelling.
     
  • There is a planning condition attached to a previous permission that restricts permitted development rights.
      
  • The dwelling is situated in a Conservation Area and the proposed structure's cubic capacity exceeds 10 cubic metres.
      
  • The dwelling is a Listed Building and the proposed structure's cubic capacity exceeds 10 cubic metres.
      
  • Part of the structure projects in front of a wall which fronts onto a highway and the highway is less than 20 metres away.
      
  • The proposed structure has a pitched roof and is over 4 metres in height.
      
  • The proposed structure does not have a pitched roof and is over 3 metres in height.
      

Points to Note

  • If any part of the structure is within 5 metres of any part of the dwelling, it is normally classed as a house extension, rather than a garden structure, for the purpose of planning consent.
      
  • If any structural work is involved, Building Control Consent may also be required.
      
  • If in any doubt about whether or not permission is required, please email planning.control@darlington.gov.uk or contact the planning duty officer on 01325 388361.