Though British weather isn't always known for sunny spells and blue skies, we are granted some summer sun for a good few weeks of the year.

If you're planning to enjoy the sunny months in a summer house or garden room of your own, you need to be aware of the building regulations, planning rules and legal considerations of the process.

What are the planning permission rules? How do you acquire planning permission? What are the legal requirements of the summer house you want to build? What are the building regulations?

There's a lot to think about before you get started.

What is planning permission?

When you ask for planning permission, you're asking if you're allowed to do a certain piece of building work.

This can include a multitude of different buildings, such as garden rooms, garden buildings, swimming pools, a new summerhouse or shed, building extensions, garages and much, much more.

Your local planning authority will either grant or deny your planning permission, and you can only begin any new building work once that planning permission has been approved.

If you're unsure about whether or not your new outbuilding requires planning permission, it's always better to check the regulations of your local authority before beginning construction. You don't want to invest a lot of your time and money into a new summer house only to find you don't meet the legal requirements halfway through the project.

What are the planning permission rules for a summer house?

Sometimes, there can be some confusion about planning permission for summer houses and other garden buildings. People often believe they're allowed to build within their own property or land without having to seek planning permission.

This is generally the case when it comes to summer houses or other garden buildings including sheds, garages and greenhouses. If your planned building meets certain criteria (known as permitted development rights) you’re able to go ahead with construction without filling in an application.

The permitted development rights include:

• It's located in the back garden or at the side of the original house.
• It doesn't take up more than 50% of the total area of land around the original house.
• It's not a separate building to the original house.
• It's a single storey development.
• It's not being used for self-contained accommodation.

However, you will require planning permission if your summer house doesn't meet this criteria.

Certain criteria require you to seek planning permission, including:

• If your planned summer house is within 2 metres of your boundary and its highest point exceeds 2.5 metres.
• In areas beyond 2 metres of your boundary, the maximum overall height is 4 metres for buildings with a dual pitched roof or apex roof. For other types of roof (including pent roof), the maximum height is 3 metres. All roofs must have a maximum eaves height of 2.5 metres.
• Different regions and counties have different measurements, so you'll need to check with your local authority to ensure your development meets these building regulations, especially if it's going to be close to your neighbouring property.
• Your summer house covers over half the garden.
• Your summer house or garden room is not for domestic use.
• You may need planning permission if your summer house is closer to a public highway than the original house. (As part of planning applications, a public highway includes any road or footpath with a public right of way.)
• Any garden buildings over 10 cubic metres may need planning permission if the designated land is located in conservation areas, national parks, world heritage sites or listed buildings.
• Building regulations approval is also required if the internal floor area of your summer house or garden building is more than 30 square metres.
• You'll also need to allow extra height for any decking, blocks, paving or timber base as part of your garden building.

When it comes to the height and maximum area of your development, it's important to consider how your building is going to look next to other buildings in the space.

Ask yourself these questions:

1. Will the height of the building be in proportion to the surrounding buildings?
2. Will it spoil the lines of your garden?
3. Will it look mismatched compared to other buildings in the space?
4. Will there be enough air movement under your summer house or garden room to prevent rot and other potential damage?

Once you've covered whether or not your building meets the right criteria, you can get started with the next steps.

Areas of outstanding natural beauty

As mentioned above, some areas may include additional restrictions when it comes to permitted development rights.

If the designated land is in a conservation area, national park, or other areas of outstanding natural beauty, you'll need to check with your local council if there are any other planning permission requirements.

How do you gain planning permission for summer houses?

So, now you know the planning regulations, you might be wondering how to apply for planning permission for your new summer house.

First, you'll need to submit a planning application to your local council. As part of the application form, you'll need to include:

• Drawings and plans of your proposed summer house or garden building.
• A site location plan.
• A description of your proposed development.
• A heritage impact statement (if the designated land is within the grounds of a listed building).

The application will include a fee, and response times can vary depending on the area you live.

You might also want to consider talking to any neighbours that may be affected by the construction of your building, especially if the space is close to a neighbour's boundary.

Always double check before you build

If you're unsure about anything to do with your planning application, it's always good to check in with your local planning department. They'll be able to give you the appropriate legal and technical guidance, as well as answer any other questions you may have about your new build.

Summary: your summer house is in sight!

Building your new summer house is a really exciting prospect. It's really important to make sure you've dotted all the i's and crossed all the t's when it comes to the planning rules and regulations of your latest venture.

Our best advice is to always check with your local council, especially if you have any doubts or queries about whether your summer house needs planning permission. Each area will vary slightly in its rules and legal requirements, so it's much better to be thorough with your research before you get started on construction.

And before long, you'll be able to sit back, relax and enjoy the sun in your new summer house!