Setting Annexe
Standards

Here to help with your annexe planning permission application.

We are the UK’s only annexe and garden room planning and development consultancy.

Garden rooms and annexes  are more popular than ever. Indeed, they’re the go-to solution for those embracing multi-generational living for an elderly loved one, or an ultra-versatile space. Seeking advice for your annexe planning permission application early in the process will help you avoid delays further down the line.

We’re a specialist annexe planning consultancy with a wealth of experience in securing annexe planning permission, as well as garden rooms and mobile homes (the latter under the caravan act). And, working with private homeowners and garden room providers, we provide a complete range of personalised annexe planning application services. From an initial conversation scoping out your ideas and advising on the best route forward. To helping prepare plans and your planning application, that we submit on your behalf to your Local Planning Authority. 

We are here to  ensure the highest standards of design, construction and delivery for all your outbuilding needs, be it an annexe for an elderly loved one, a garden office, gym or hobby space for yourself.  With a desk based service we’ll be able to take the planning stresses away, wherever you are in England or Wales.

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How we can help you

We begin all our projects with an initial appraisal and feasibility study. Through this first stage review, our planners provide you with considered and researched guidance on the feasibility of your development aspirations. To do this we look at a variety of factors, including the site planning history, its context and all relevant local and national policies, and weigh these up against your ideal project outcome.

This initial review really helps to flag the potential opportunities and constraints of your site, and is essential for enabling us to develop an annexe planning permission strategy for moving things forward. It’s also crucial for ensuring that, if you pursue your annexe planning permission application, your approach is prepared in a way that gives it the best chance of success.

We’ve adopted a flexible three-tier offering to suit all budgets.

Our Express Study is a relatively quick desktop study, looking at LPA policy and specific site planning constraints.

Our Standard Study covers all of the Bronze level services plus a thorough review of planning history, an in-depth evaluation of site specific constraints such as trees, topography, and an idea of the appropriate size and location of your annexe.

And our Premium Study covers all of the Standard service along with a 30-minute zoom consultation. Which is perfect for answering all your questions.  Plus a selection of unique design ideas and our most thorough site appraisal.

Preparing effective annexe planning permission applications is at the heart of what we do.

There are various planning application strategies we can adopt, but choosing the right strategy mostly comes down to exactly what kind of structure you want to build in your garden – and what you want to use the building for.

So every project we undertake commences with an initial feasibility study. Within a few hours of research, we are in a position to advise you on what type of planning application may be most beneficial to your project – taking into consideration site context and planning history, local and national policies, relevant legislation, case law and precedents.

A planning statement is your opportunity to prove the site meets all relevant planning policies. We develop and present a keenly focused, clearly argued planning application document. This is packed with all our arguments as to why the application is policy compliant. Designed to show the proposal in the best possible light, our planning statement will give your project the best chance of being approved.

We can also act on your behalf to complete all necessary documentation and apply for any available community infrastructure levy exemptions. Our meticulous and considered preparation of all such documents is vital, since even the smallest error can result in a refusal.

And you can rely on us to offer expert advice on all aspects such as community infrastructure levy (CIL) and advice on third party requirements such as Ecology, Drainage, Arboriculture, and recommend and partner third party consultants

Of course, we must also be adept at engaging and negotiating effectively with the Local Planning Authority. With direct experience of submitting over 500 planning proposals to more than 250 LPA’s, that’s something you can take as read.

To ensure your garden room or mobile home is lawful you can apply for a lawful development certificate from the Local Planning Authority. There are two types of these: certificates for proposed developments and certificates for existing developments.

Let’s firstly look at certificates for a proposed use or development. These ensure that a proposed residential extension (for instance, an incidental garden room) falls under permitted development.

If you rely on the Caravan Act to site a mobile home within your garden, a Certificate of Lawfulness can be invaluable. Despite the caravan laws being very clear, some Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) may raise objections to your building, especially if complaints have been received. A good way to avoid issues further down the road is to ask a planning consultant to check that your structure does indeed comply with the Act. If it does, it won’t require planning permission, so your consultant can apply for a Certificate of Lawfulness on your behalf to ensure the LPA agree.

A Certificate of Lawfulness can also be used to protect yourself should any complaints be raised. Although they aren’t a legal requirement, some situations demand a certificate for any garden structures. For example, should you want to sell your home, your solicitor will almost certainly want to see a Certificate of Lawfulness for your garden room or mobile home to guarantee it is lawful.

The second type of certificate is for existing use or development. This is commonly used to demonstrate that a use or development has been in existence for a certain length of time – and therefore becomes lawful by default and immune from enforcement action. This time span is generally 4 years for applications relating to residential matters, or 10 years for commercial or agricultural applications and breaches of conditions. We find this is an excellent strategy for making the case that an existing garden room meets the permitted development criteria.

If you have been refused annexe planning permission, all is not lost since you do have the right of appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.

We would never recommend appealing without first exhausting all other options. We’re able to scrutinise your application from a professional point of view, identifying weaknesses with the refusal that can be exploited or strengths in your case which you may not have highlighted in your original application.

But if an appeal is the only option, we can help you choose the best planning appeal route. Thanks to our access to case law and appeal precedents, along with our own far-reaching experience, we can construct a robust and persuasive appeal.

We also have licensed access to chambers should you wish to secure a counsel opinion on appeal strategy or a point of law.

If you receive an enforcement notice on your annexe, garden room or mobile home, it is vital you act without delay.

There are a range of enforcement powers open to Local Authorities. These include Enforcement Notices, Breach of Condition Notices, and Stop Notices. We can advise you on the correct planning strategy in these extreme circumstances. And our advice will depend on the actions already taken by the Council.

Remember that, as with planning appeals, you have the right to appeal against an enforcement notice.

Enforcement action is discretionary to your Local Authority and, in many cases, negotiation is preferable to the appeal route. Depending on your circumstances we may be able to help you in various ways before having to appeal against enforcement.

If not, we can handle the enforcement appeal on your behalf, though time is of essence. Usually you must ensure your appeal is with the Planning Inspectorate within 28 days of the serving of the notice, otherwise you will lose your right to appeal. If you fail to hit this deadline, you will have to comply with the requirements of the notice – or risk prosecution for non-compliance.

Annexe planning application help for homeowners

We work directly with private homeowners and annexe providers in England and Wales to help secure permission for all manner of domestic projects, from granny annexes to garden offices and gyms.

We understand how confusing the planning system can be. So our dedicated team pride themselves on making the whole process refreshingly straightforward.

Along with expert, impartial advice, innovative thinking and an approach founded on integrity, you can trust our specialists to help you create an inspirational living space for future generations.

If you’re looking to build an annexe in your garden or purchase a modular building, please contact us for advice early on in the process so that we can advise you on the best way forward from a planning perspective.

Annexe planning application help for businesses

If your annexe or garden room business provides granny annexes or other types of garden rooms to the public, you’ll receive a number of queries around planning permission.

Answering these and helping clients deal with the planning process can tie-up valuable resources.

And when you have deadlines to hit, that can cause problems for your business.

Fortunately, we can provide clear, professional advice – whether that’s direct to the applicant or in collaboration and a retained partner basis.

If you’re a business providing annexes or garden rooms and you need help with your planning process, please get in touch today. We offer a discount to providers who work with us on a Partner basis. All this means is that you agree to send all your planning work through us for a 12 month period. 

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What Our Customers Say...

Annexe

Annexes are now a popular addition to many family homes to provide additional accommodation.

Mobile Home


NAPC provide a service to help you establish whether your mobile home meets the definition of a caravan and can apply for a Certificate of Lawfulness

Garden Room


Looking to install a garden room at your property? Unsure about planning permission or building regulations for garden rooms?

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