Planning Permission on garden room/office

[Mr Me]

Hi, we are planning to build a garden room and shed within the compound of our carport. The question for me is ‘what is the front of the house’? Our private estate has 12 houses on it, all semi detached. If it were any of the other houses doing this, it would absolutely be classed as the side of the house however as our house is at the front of the estate, I wanted to check to see we didn’t fall foul of the ‘front elevation’ rules. It’s realistically at the back and the side of the house and would replace the shed that is sat at the rear of our wooden beamed carport, however guidance and confirmation would be appreciated.

[des8]

You could ask your local planning department, or even apply for a certificate of lawful development (cost £103 England/ £85 Wales) and then you know for sure

[Mr Me]

You could ask your local planning department, or even apply for a certificate of lawful development (cost £103 England/ £85 Wales) and then you know for sure

Yes, thank you for the reply. I have spoken to the local council who would not comment. They have also stated that there are huge delays and backlogs and that a response for an actual application would take quite some time. We were hoping to get a steer on here, bearing in mind the building itself will not require permission due to it being under 2.5m etc. it was really just a question for the front elevation and to see if anyone has specific knowledge on this please.

[des8]

Your development would not be permitted if "any part of the building, enclosure, pool or container would be situated on land forward of a wall forming the principal elevation of the original dwellinghouse" (the Town and Country Planning (general Permitted Development)(England) Order 2015 . statutory instrument 2015 No 596 Schedule 2 Class E

The principal elevation as below is taken from government website technical guidance https://assets.publishing.service.go...publishing.pdf

“Principal elevation” – in most cases the principal elevation will be that part of the house which fronts (directly or at an angle) the main highway serving the house (the main highway will be the one that sets the postcode for the house concerned). It will usually contain the main architectural features such as main bay windows or a porch serving the main entrance to the house. Usually, but not exclusively, the principal elevation will be what is understood to be the front of the house. There will only be one principal elevation on a house. Where there are two elevations which may have the character of a principal elevation, for example on a corner plot, a view will need to be taken as to which of these forms the principal elevation.


Who knows which way the council will view the matter, or if they will even bother!
Is anyone likely to complain?

[Mr Me]

Your development would not be permitted if "any part of the building, enclosure, pool or container would be situated on land forward of a wall forming the principal elevation of the original dwellinghouse" (the Town and Country Planning (general Permitted Development)(England) Order 2015 . statutory instrument 2015 No 596 Schedule 2 Class E

The principal elevation as below is taken from government website technical guidance https://assets.publishing.service.go...publishing.pdf

“Principal elevation” – in most cases the principal elevation will be that part of the house which fronts (directly or at an angle) the main highway serving the house (the main highway will be the one that sets the postcode for the house concerned). It will usually contain the main architectural features such as main bay windows or a porch serving the main entrance to the house. Usually, but not exclusively, the principal elevation will be what is understood to be the front of the house. There will only be one principal elevation on a house. Where there are two elevations which may have the character of a principal elevation, for example on a corner plot, a view will need to be taken as to which of these forms the principal elevation.


Who knows which way the council will view the matter, or if they will even bother!
Is anyone likely to complain?

Well, it's a private estate so it's hard to say if anyone would complain! We have asked as per the freehold, the permission of the housing company that built the home, who I'm sure will not have an issue. I have never asked for planning permission before... In this circumstance, would someone playing less to the exact rule book, just build it and deal with it if they are asked by the council and put in retrospective planning permission or would they put in the application and wait many, many months. I would certainly say, as per the drawing, that the building would be at the front of the house rather than the side, even bearing in mind it's also technically at the back of the carport, but obviously that is in front of the front door and facing the main road, although out of view from the main road due to the back of the shops being there.

[des8]

The Statutory instrument does not refer to "the front of the house" but the "principal Elevation"

The Main road is either of the roads which border your property, not the one marked "main road" on your plan.

Your front door is indicative of the principal elevation, but in your situation I would probably "wing" it and argue (if necessary) that it was a replacement for an existing dilapidated shed( take pictures!)
Your choice.. the risk is there that you are ordered to remove it

[Mr Me]

The Statutory instrument does not refer to "the front of the house" but the "principal Elevation"

The Main road is either of the roads which border your property, not the one marked "main road" on your plan.

Your front door is indicative of the principal elevation, but in your situation I would probably "wing" it and argue (if necessary) that it was a replacement for an existing dilapidated shed( take pictures!)
Your choice.. the risk is there that you are ordered to remove it

fab' thanks for the advice and time spent answering, clear choice to make now.