We are frequently asked by customers if they need planning permission for putting their Asgard shed in their garden or outside of their house. Well, we are not experts on local planning laws but - you’ll find that in most circumstances, that you won’t need planning permission for an Asgard shed. This is because our sheds are not classed as permanent structures or outbuildings. However, there are some exceptions, such as conservation areas, location, your local planning authority, and front gardens.
In fact, due to a 60% rise in people taking up cycling caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, there’s been an increase in people challenging local cycle storage planning laws. This is to try to encourage people to cycle, modernising the law to allow easy access to bikes.
Currently, if your outdoor storage doesn’t comply with local planning regulations, you can be asked to take it down, and be fined up to £20,000.
Conservation Areas & Outdoor Storage
A conservation area will often require approval and can be based on size, location and even the colour of your shed.
Location, Local Planning Authorities, and Front Gardens
We have also found that some boroughs of London and Leicester will not let you have a shed at the front of your property without seeking Council approval. In Scotland, the rules have been recently changed to allow homes to feature cycle stores up to 1.5m in height without applying for planning permission.
Some houses will have Permitted Development Right removed - which is common on smaller building plots - this can be confirmed by looking at your property deeds - these can be downloaded via the planning portal.
For a full guide to general planning permissions visit - https://www.planningportal.co.uk
General: Planning Permission and Building Regulation approval isn’t required if:
- Sheds and greenhouses do not cover more than half of the area of the garden; not including the area occupied by the house.
- It contains no sleeping accommodation and the floor area does not exceed 15 square metres.
- No point is less than one metre from a boundary.
- It is not more than 3m high for a flat roof, or 4m with a ridged roof.
- No part projects beyond any wall of the house that faces a road. The outbuilding is for use only by those who occupy the house.
- Building Regulations do state that structures built of combustible material (i.e. a wooden shed) must be at least 2 metres from the main house.
Tips for sheds in your front garden
If you prefer your bike shed to be in the front garden, and you are allowed to, you may want to consider a few additional measures:
- Screen or shield your bike shed from the roadside, not only would your neighbours prefer it, but it also keeps it sheltered from thieves. Remember someone can be on the lookout to see what you have stored in there.
- Go for a secure option. It may be worth opting for a more robust shed, like our high-security sheds.
- Ensure you install it correctly, and use all the security features such as any deadbolts and bolting your unit to the ground. If in doubt, we offer a shed installation service.
- Consider using a ground anchor for an additional security point.
- Choose a colour suitable for your area. If you are planning to install it in a shady planted spot, opt for green or grey to help it blend in.
Please note that the information provided is a guide. If you are unsure as to whether or not you’ll need planning permission for a shed, it is always best to check with your local planning office.
Asgard will take no responsibility for customer planning issues. It is the customer’s responsibility to check with the Local Authorities if in doubt.
Resources: https://www.planningportal.co.uk
