Planning the build: what specifications do you need to build a granny annexe in the garden?
In the majority of cases, homeowners can build a granny annexe in the garden.
If you have the budget and desire to build an annexe in your garden, then an iHus granny annexe specialist will work with you to find a convenient, practical, durable and stylish solution.
Annexes are specifically designed for domestic properties and gardens, with the ability to be customised to meet your family’s unique needs. Collaborating with an expert allows for a personalised assessment to determine the best solution for you, your family and your garden.
To help you learn more about annexes, their benefits, and the options available to you, our annexe experts have shared their insights into what you need to be doing now, to plan a build for the Spring / Summer 2024.
Keep reading to learn more about assessing the practicality of your garden for an annexe build, the specifications you would need to provide to your iHus consultant, and the recommended planning process to follow.
Can I put a granny annexe in my garden?
To determine whether or not your garden is suitable for an annexe to be built there, you will need to consider the following:
- Your garden’s size – wondering if you’ll still have enough room in your garden after adding an annexe? We’ll help you figure out the best spot for the annexe to make the most of your space. By guiding you through the whole process, we make sure you’re happy with the space that’s left.
- Your garden’s layout – although your garden might have ample space, its layout and topography might mean there are limited options for you to locate your annexe. Again, we can outline your options, and recommend the best route to take.
- The annexe’s purpose – in most cases, an annexe is built for family members to move into. Finding the perfect spot in the garden to build is important to give you both enough space and ensure privacy. Our annexe experts are here to help you find the ideal balance.
- How private your garden is – begin by evaluating the privacy level of your garden. If there’s any concern about potential overlooking, we can explore solutions together. Your comfort and privacy are key, and we’re here to make sure your annexe and garden align with your preferences.
- Whether your garden has any environmental factors – for example, some gardens are particularly prone to flooding or may be located within an area with a high biodiversity contribution. If any challenges arise, we’ll work together to assess them and explore potential mitigation measures, ensuring that an annexe remains a smart and viable investment.
- If your annexe is subject to any planning regulations – iHus use specialist planning consultancy NAPC to handle their planning applications, their expert planners will be able to flag up any concerns during the design stages of your project, so you can have peace of mind that you have the best chances of success.
If you’re unsure about what planning regulations are in place in your local area or any of the items included above, book a free consultation with iHus.
What specifications do you need to provide for a granny annexe in the garden?
After you have considered the factors listed above, you can move on to the planning process of your annexe.
At this stage, we will work with you to choose your key specifications. This will ensure that your annexe fulfils all your specific requirements, and is completely fit for purpose.
The specifications that you will need to provide include:
- Your budget
- Your required timeline
- The size of your annexe
- The layout of your annexe
- How many rooms it will contain (and what they will be used for)
- The purpose of your annexe
- Any specific features that you need, to ensure its accessibility for the family member who will live in the annexe. Common examples include wheelchair ramps, and accessible bathrooms and kitchen layouts.
- Your chosen flooring finishes
- How many windows you need, and where you would like them to be located
- Any additional features you want in the kitchen
- Any additional features you want in the bathroom
What is the planning process for building a granny annexe in the garden?
The typical planning process for building an annexe in a garden involves:
- Deciding where to source your annexe. Our team will review the size, shape and orientation of your garden and speak with you about the available budget so we can plan ahead.
- iHus design team and Consultants will create planning drawings. At this point, your specifications will be passed to the iHus design team by your Consultant so planning drawings can be created to submit.
- Conduct a site survey. Your iHus Consultant will assess your garden, to check that the conditions and available utilities are compatible with the needs of your annexe.
- Submit your request for planning permission. We’ve outlined this step in more detail below.
During the planning process, our planning specialists will apply for planning permission and liaise with the relevant authorities on your behalf.
Generally speaking, the process you will need to complete is as follows:
Because someone will be living in the annexe full-time:
We will need to obtain planning permission from your Local Planning Authority (LPA) before building the annexe.
Another route to obtain consent is to submit a certificate of lawfulness for a mobile home, don’t worry the structure does not have to have wheels. This is just another option we can use to get the annexe you want, especially if there are restrictive planning designations such as the Green Belt, as mobile homes are not assessed against normal planning policies.
The act specifies measurements a structure must fall under to adhere to the Caravan Act. There will be no structural or visual change to your annexe with a Certificate of Lawfulness and the annexe can still be the same size as advertised.
At iHus, we offer free on-site consultation services to all of our clients. With the guidance of our experts, you can navigate the planning permission process with ease.
To discover more about the planning process please see our complete digital guide to gaining annexe planning permission here.
Customer stories, and granny annexe ideas
At iHus, we are the UK’s leading annexe specialists. Throughout the country, we are renowned for the elegant design and exceptional quality of our granny annexes.
Our entire range of annexes are designed to be flexible, and we work with each of our clients to achieve a bespoke build that ticks all of their boxes.
A fantastic example of this can be seen in the annexe that we built for the Haughton Family. We worked closely with the family, to help them secure planning permission for their annexe, and design a building that would be as accessible as possible.
You can find more examples of the differences that our annexes have made to peoples’ lives in our Open Hus stories.
Speak to the team for expert advice
If you would like to explore your options for building an annexe in your garden, you can book a free consultation with iHus.
Or, to find out more about the benefits of choosing an iHus annexe, our team of specialists are on hand to help.