Do I Need Planning Permission.co.uk
Making the most of your Home

Hi folks,

Have been needing an upgrade to my shed for a while, which is too cramped and not secure (it has been broken into twice in it's life, the second time after beefing up security). I need more space and I'd like to set up a workshop with lathe and other machines, so another, bigger shed is not really what I'm looking for.

I had been thinking along the lines of a lean-to building attached to the house, but I've recently learned that this would both class it as an extension and make it subject to building regs approval, and as I'd like to keep this within permitted development, I'm starting to think a detatched building would be better, despite losing access to the solid brick wall of my house, which would have been handy, not to mention an easier connection to the electricity supply.

So I'd like some recommendations for construction types - I'd rather not go to the expense of brick and/or block construction, would timber frame be suitable, and if so, does this kind of construction work out much cheaper? I'd also rather not go for a concrete/prefab type, though I'm not ruling it out. Likewise a strong, secure shed with lockable doors built on a brick base would be possible.

My other issue is that I'd want the outbuilding as close as possible to the house, as I've not got lots of space to allow for a big gap between. How close could an outhouse be feasibly built?

Just to mention, the proposed outhouse would be within 2m of a boundary, so would have to be max 2.4m high.

Realise this is a planning forum rather than building, so if post not suitable, I do apologise!

Under Planning and if it’s to be attached to the house, it would be deemed as an extension. Because it’ll be within 2m of a boundary and for it to be PD, the eaves height cannot exceed 3m and the overall height cannot exceed 4m. If it’s to be detached, it would be deemed as an outbuilding. Because it’ll be within 2m of a boundary and for it to be PD, the overall height cannot exceed 2.5m.

If the internal floor area does not exceed 15sq.m, I’m pretty sure it would be exempt from Building Regulations. If it exceeds 15sq.m, then it’ll need BR’s and you’d struggle to comply if adopting some form of timber construction.

Nothing wrong with a timber lean to with appropriately sized timbers, etc… If it was to be positioned behind a fence and the door into it would not be in view of the road, those itself will afford some degree of security. But if somebody wants to get in, they will… irrespective of how it’s constructed.

Thanks Damian,

Yes of course 2.5m overall hight not 2.4 as I wrongly stated.
As to the floor size I'm thinking around 3x4.2m which is 7.2m2, so yes easily within.

As to security, it was more that I didn't want a standard shed door/hasp and staple combination like I've had before, but something with multiple locking points. Though as you say, they'll get in if they want to, it just a case of not making it so easy for them. The doors would be pointed towards the back garden and away from the road.

Ideally I'd want something like an open panel timber frame building rather than a conventional shed, but don't know the costs of this.

Still unsure of the gap between workshop and shed - working on a 30cm gap to allow for ventillation, but not sure whether this is sufficient.

OK, ignore what I said about open panel timber frame - it's not suitable, nor is it cheap! Not that I want "Cheap".

The gap can be as small as you want. Obviously the bigger the gap, the more chance of things getting into it. Anything smaller than 600mm would make the gap more or less inaccessible for maintenance. An attached structure would eliminate those issues.