Climbing Frame and Playset Planning Permission
Climbing Frames UK obviously wishes to ensure we and our customers stay within the law when it comes to our outdoor toys, not only with regard to surpassing safety standards, but also with planning and building regulations.
Most importantly for us is that not only do your children enjoy the set, it looks nice in your garden and is not too imposing for your neighbours. Even though a playset, trampoline or climbing frame is not a permanent structure, we would expect you to be using anything you purchase from us for several years, so before committing to purchase we would suggest that if you are not entirely sure your neighbours would appreciate a playset next to their boundary or overlooking their garden please speak with them. Print a picture and if necessary show them where you're planning on putting it to ensure there are no unexpected surprises and to avoid any possible conflict.
In the following paragraphs we have summarized the latest information available regarding planning and building regulations for temporary structures and outbuildings. However, we always recommend that you check directly with your local council or planning office.
Planning Permission
Rules governing outbuildings apply to sheds, greenhouses and garages as well as other ancillary garden buildings such as swimming pools, ponds, sauna cabins, kennels, enclosures (including tennis courts) and many other kinds of structure for a purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the dwelling house.
Under regulations that came into effect on 1 October 2008 outbuildings are considered to be permitted development, not needing planning permission, subject to the following limits and conditions:
- No outbuilding on land forward of a wall forming the principal elevation.
- Outbuildings and garages to be single storey with maximum eaves height of 2.5 metres and maximum overall height of four metres with a dual pitched roof or three metres for any other roof.
- Maximum height of 2.5 metres in the case of a building, enclosure or container within two metres of a boundary of the curtilage of the dwellinghouse.
- No more than half the area of land around the "original house"* would be covered by additions or other buildings.
- In National Parks, the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and World Heritage Sites the maximum area to be covered by buildings, enclosures, containers and pools more than 20 metres from house to be limited to 10 square metres.
- On designated land* buildings, enclosures, containers and pools at the side of properties will require planning permission.
- Within the curtilage of listed buildings any outbuilding will require planning permission.
*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.
*Designated land includes national parks and the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, conservation areas and World Heritage Sites.
Building Regulations
If you want to put up small detached buildings such as a garden shed or summerhouse in your garden, building regulations will not normally apply if the floor area of the building is less than 15 square metres and contains NO sleeping accommodation.
If the floor area of the building is between 15 square metres and 30 square metres, you will not normally be required to apply for building regulations approval providing that the building contains NO sleeping accommodation and is either at least one metre from any boundary or it is constructed of substantially non-combustible materials.
Disclaimer
Climbing Frames UK makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided in this article, which is subject to regular review and change without notice. No warranty or representation can be provided regarding this information. We do not accept liability for any losses or damage arising directly or indirectly from reliance on the information.
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