Flats
You must apply for full planning permission to erect a garden building, greenhouse or shed in your garden. This includes timber sheds.
Houses
You must apply for householder planning permission to erect a garden building, greenhouse or shed if:
- the total area of ground covered will be greater than 50 per cent of the total land around the house
- it will be at the front of the house
- it will be at the side of a house which is in a conservation area
- it will be built in the grounds of a listed building
- it will be at the side or front of a house covered by an Article 4 Direction
- it will be more than one storey high
- it will be more than 4m high with a pitched roof or 3m high with a flat roof. If it will be within 2m of the boundary of the house, it must be 2.5m high
- its eaves will be more than 2.5m high
- it will include a veranda, balcony or raised platform.
More information
The outbuildings section of the national planning portal has lots of guidance and useful information.
You can find more information on the design of garden buildings on page 36 of Camden Planning Guidance 1 - Design (PDF)
Can I get confirmation that I do not need planning permission?
You can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate (LDC). This is to prove that an existing or proposed garden building, greenhouse or shed is lawful.
Apply for a Lawful Development Certificate to prove an existing or proposed garden building, greenhouse or shed is lawful.
Am I likely to get planning permission?
To find out whether your proposal is likely to be accepted, you can apply for pre-planning application advice.
How do I apply?
You can apply via the national planning portal. To find out what information is required with your application, see making a planning application.
Still not sure whether you need planning permission?
If you need further advice about whether you need planning permission, contact planning advice and information.