Want to transform the appearance and functionality of your garden but unsure if you need planning permission for landscaping? While a lot of people believe that planning regulations apply only to buildings and construction changes, it can also impact garden landscaping projects as well, for both commercial and residential properties.
In this blog, our Outdoor Home Improvement experts will delve into the world of landscape gardening and building regulations and planning permission.
In most cases, you do not need planning permission for your residential garden landscaping project, especially projects that involve planting flowers, bushes or laying turf. However, larger landscaping projects may require you applying for planning permission.
We’ve broken down the most common landscaping projects and whether they may or may not need planning permission below:
As mentioned above, re-turfing your lawn, with natural or artificial grass or creating various flower beds will not require planning permission. For more information about landscaping your garden, see our blog post: ‘Landscape design ideas & tips for domestic projects’.
However, if you have trees in your garden, it’s important to check with Tree Preservation Orders, as some trees and shrubs are protected and permission must be sought before pruning or cutting down the tree.
Walls and fencing installations fall under the ‘permitted development’ category, meaning that you can build, maintain, improve or alter fences or walls (or other enclosure types) in both front and back gardens.
However, you must ensure that your fencing installation doesn’t break the following stipulations:
Wanting to install a shed, summer house, green house, garden office or additional storage? You can do so without needing planning permission, only if: the total area of your outbuildings doesn’t exceed 50% of your total garden area. Please note the 50% of area also includes any extensions to your home, but not the original house footprint.
Want to add decking to your garden as part of your landscaping project? Whether you’re installing millboard decking, composite decking or timber decking, as long as the decking platform is no more than 30cm off of the ground, then you do not need planning permission.
Decking is a fantastic way to landscape your garden, providing a change in materials and purpose helps to break your garden into various versatile spaces. Find out more about decking installations in our blog post: ‘Install decking ready for summer’ and ‘A guide to choosing the perfect composite decking for your garden’
In most cases, if you want to add paving or create or install a driveway as part of your residential landscaping project, you will not require planning permission. However, this does depend on several factors including:
If you answer yes to any of the above, then planning permission must be obtained.
While we are not planning permission officers, we have been working within the industry for over 25 years. So, whilst we will always recommend seeking professional advice, our expertise and years of experience will help provide you with the relevant information to help you make an informed decision.
For more information about garden landscaping for your commercial or residential property, get in touch with our team today at sales@outdoorhomeimprovements.co.uk or by calling us on 01626 323525, or visit our showroom in Newton Abbot. Or, for landscaping inspiration, see our range of completed case studies.
Planning permission is a series of legislations that are in place to protect the way that towns, cities and countryside develop. Planning permission covers a range of areas, including:
Find out more about planning permission in our latest blog post: ‘Do I need planning permission for driveways?’
You may need to seek planning permission if you’re making permanent changes to your property such as:
