Hi, any planning officers around please?

[7catsisnotenough]

We're looking at constructing a "lean to" type arrangement at the side of our house. No previous extensions so I'm hoping it's covered by the 10% permitted development or it actually won't count due to the construction...

We're a semi with a wide side return but no road access due to elevated position of the house. We're hoping to put a new 6' fence in and create a covered area (workshop) for our scooters.

I'm hoping it will be covered by permitted development OR it won't count as it will be a " temporary" structure.

Any advice please people? Obviously if it's debatable I'll check with the planning department before going ahead, just looking for immediate thoughts at this point? Thank you!

Haven't included a diagram as it's straightforward but will endeavour to provide one if needed!🤣

I'm not a planning officer but have looked at this and an interested in the answer too!

Permitted development allows a side extension. I thought it required materials to match, but I can't see that on the planning portal: https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/extensions/planning-permission

Would need to check the actual legislation.

I believe it's an extension if attached. An outbuilding if it isn't.

Building regs would apply. But it it isn't a habitatal room so can't see how insulation standards can apply.

It's not straightforward is it?

You’d probably be wise to pay the small sum for pre-application advice, where you can go in and meet a planning officer for half an hour and outline what you want to do, so they can advise on what permission you would need. Development close to the boundary can be a bit of a grey area.

Paragraph A3 confirms extensions to dwellings must be in materials that match the main dwelling. Unless it’s a conservatory.

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/596/schedule/2

Would the fence be within your property, or on the boundary?
Assuming you are in England, permitted development has to be entirely within the boundaries of the host property, so if it is using a party wall/fence, or eg gutters overhang the fence into a neighbouring property it cannot be pd.

I am assuming you aren't located in a National Park or AONB

And yes, one of the conditions of pd is that it must be constructed to match the existing property (unless it is a conservatory, where glazing/pvc etc is acceptable).

I don't know where the 10% you mention comes from - nothing to do with the English rules.

So build with a wall (brick) to match the house, roofing material too. Stay inside boundaries and to the permitted development maximum heights. And no planning needed.

The materials would make it more expensive than a lean to shed. But it'll last longer.