sean mills+associates garden design

Step 1 – Know the Planning Consents and Restrictions

Whether you are in the town or country, before planning a garden from scratch you may need to apply for planning consents before you make alterations to the hardlandscape of your garden. In general if your building is not listed and you are not in a conservation area then you are free to design your garden area as you want with the following provisos:

No wall, trellis or garden fence should exceed 1 metre in height if it is adjacent to the road or 2 metres elsewhere in your garden. Should you wish to exceed this height then you will have to apply for planning permission to your local district council.

While new buildings or extensions of your existing building are subject to planning restrictions and would not normally be considered a part of planning your Garden Design, you are at liberty to build a garden shed or a greenhouse in your garden up to 4 metres high at the ridge or 3 metres at the roof line without planning permission. Swimming pools and tennis courts are generally exempt from planning permission although you may need to get consent for draining a pool.

However if your house is listed, then beware. Any alteration to the main building, outbuildings, wall or gates will need Listed Building Consent. This includes any structure that is joined to the building such as a pergola.

Planning Hardlandscaping in Your Garden Design

There are also restrictions as to the disposal of surface water from patios and hardlandscaping. This cannot be discharged into an existing sewer without consent. Increasingly local councils are demanding the use of permeable surfaces, particularly at the front of town gardens.

Conservation area authorities will also have their own regulations as to what types of materials can be used for hardlandscaping. There will also be rules regarding what trees can be taken down or even pruned without permission.

Party walls and the regulations covering them are also convoluted. You should consult the Party Wall Act 1996 if you need make alterations to a garden wall or concrete fence which stands astride a boundary. In general you will need to give two months notice of your intention. However permission cannot be unreasonably withheld. Make sure you get consent in writing from neighbours before making changes to a shared boundary wall.

All changes of access to classified roads or highways will need planning permission.

So the short answer is: before you start designing and planning a garden check with your local authority as to what rules apply and what applications for consent are needed.

seanmills+associates garden design offers a full design service including obtaining the necessary planning consents when planning and designing gardens.