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For the purposes of planning applications Log Cabins are generally referred to as "Summerhouses" or "Outbuildings".

Full planning details are shown here for your reference. The right column provides a quick reference summary and a few useful tips.

The law is slightly different between England, Wales and Scotland.

The main difference is the area of garden (excluding the original house) that may be covered which in England and Wales is 50% and in Scotland is 30%.

The planning portal is geared towards England and Wales but it is a useful reference in all cases.

If you are in England or Wales refer to the planning portal: Planning portal

If you are in Scotland your development is likely to be Class 3 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development)(Scotland)Order 1992 which can be viewed at: General Permitted Development Scotland

 

Many kinds of buildings and structures can be built in your garden without the need to apply for planning permission. These can include sheds, garages, greenhouses/potting sheds, accommodation for pets and domestic animals, summer houses, swimming pools, ponds, sauna cabins, enclosures (including tennis courts) and many other kinds of structure.

The details of planning permission can be read via the planning portal www.planningportal.gov.uk using the link:

Outbuildings and planning permission. which we have also copied for your reference below:

Outbuildings
You will need to apply for planning permission if any of the following cases apply on the land around your house.

You want to put up a building or structure which would be nearer to any highway than the nearest part of the "original house", unless there would be at least 20 metres between the new building and any highway. The term "highway" includes public roads, footpaths, bridleways and byways.

More than half (50%) the area of land around the "original house" would be covered by additions or other buildings. (Please note: 30% of the garden area in Scotland)

The building or structure is not to be used for domestic purposes and is to be used instead, for example, for parking a commercial vehicle, running a business or for storing goods in connection with a business.

You want to put up a building or structure which is more than 3 metres high, or more than 4 metres high if it has a ridged roof. (Measure from the highest ground next to it.)

If your house is a listed building, and you want to put up a building or structure with a volume of more than 10 cubic metres.

If you live in a Conservation Area, a National Park, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, or the Broads, and you want to put up a building or structure with a volume of more than 10 cubic metres (though it might be allowable as an extension)

The term "original house" means the house as it was first built or as it stood on 1 July 1948 (if it was built before that date). Although you may not have built an extension to the house, a previous owner may have done so.

Note: in all cases, if your new building would have a volume over 10 cubic metres, and come within 5 metres of the house, it would be treated as an extension. Also, if your new extension would bring some existing garden building within 5 metres of the (extended) house, that existing building's volume could be deducted from your overall volume entitlement for the house, as if it were another extension.

Calculating the volume of a building or extension is not easy. It is important to get it right if you are deciding whether planning permission will be needed.

If you have any concerns about a legal problem involving planning you should get professional advice or ask your local planning department.

Whilst the following advice may make planning permission unnecessary we strongly advise all our clients to seek written approval from their local development control officer prior to starting construction.

Advice and tips for log cabin planning permission.

• The cabin should be at least 5 metres from your home.

(It could be closer but you would have to submit a planning application with associated fees as it will be treated as an extension)

• The log cabn must be less than 4m high with a pitched roof or 3m with a flat roof.

(Cabin Living cabins are less than 4m high with a pitched roof.)

• If the floor area of the building is less than 15 metres square, it can be sited close to a boundary.

(Cabin Living would still suggest a 0.5 metre gap to allow maintenance of your boundary and cabin.)

• If between 15 and 30 metres square there should be at least 1 metre to any boundary to comply with building regulations.

• The log cabin should take up less than 50% of the garden surrounding the house. (less than 30% in Scotland)

Contact your local development control officer. It is likely they will ask you to submit a plan indicating where and what you intend to build. Your council should not apply any fees for this type of enquiry as this is not a planning application as such.

Information to include with your submission:

• an accurate dimensioned plan of your site showing cabin orientation, your home and clearly marked boundaries. This should be to scale probably 1:100
• a photograph of your site
• a site plan
• an picture of your proposed log cabin
• floor dimensions of your log cabin (floor dimension guides for the complete Cabin Living range can be viewed at Log Cabin Detailed Drawings)

a site plan

Whilst it is useful to have a site plan as shown above you should also submit a dimensioned drawing to scale probably 1:100 or 1:50

It is advisable to point out in your accompanying letter that your cabin is 5m from your home, less than 15m square if you propose to place it close to a boundary, less than 4m high with a pitched roof, and less than 50% (or 30% for Scotland) of the garden area to demonstrate your familiarity with planning rules.

Finally, wait for receipt of a letter confirming that your development has been accepted prior to building your cabin. Councils do vary but response to this type of enquiry is normally fairly quick. (One week or so)

Please note Cabin Living can submit drawings on your behalf, absolutely free, for any log cabin installation orders placed in Scotland.

This may seem like a time consuming process but obtaining approval secures peace of mind and ensures that if you sell your property in the future you can furnish your buyer's solicitor with written approval from development control.

We hope you have found this article of interest and if you require further information regarding supply or installation of log cabins please view our log cabins

The Cabin Living Team