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The ins and outs of annexe planning

Your iHus annexe price includes all aspects of planning approval.

From forming the best strategy and compiling and submitting forms, to liaising with the local Planning Officers and gaining final permission, we handle every last detail.

When it comes to annexes, the law can be complicated. That's why we handle the whole planning approval process for our customers, giving them one less thing to worry about.

Annexe are generally classified as ‘ancillary’ to the main house (that is, they can be inhabited whilst sharing certain facilities of the family home – for example, the address, access point or garden). This means they can’t be classed under Permitted Development rights.

To offer the greatest likelihood of planning approval, our specialists tend to adopt a two-pronged attack. We’ve developed this unique approach through many years of experience, and it achieves planning permission in 90% of cases. Simply put, we submit a Householder Application in the first instance, followed by the same plan submission under the Caravan Act as a safety net.

Householder applications

These are the simplest way of obtaining planning approval. Householder applications cover all works to be completed to a dwelling. That includes everything from a small extension to a full garden annexe.

Our experts forward this type of application along with a personal statement which outlines your specific circumstances and need for the annexe. This statement generally focuses on the need for extra care for an elderly relative or for children to enjoy more independence.

Caravan Act applications

This is our fall-back position. Introduced in 1968, the Caravan Act is generally in place to uphold the legal rights of those who live on caravan sites. However, we can use section 29 of the Act which defines the terms ‘caravan’ or ‘mobile home’ to bolster our planning case. Under section 29, for a dwelling to qualify as a caravan or mobile home it must meet requirements within 3 aspects of the Caravan Sites Act – size, mobility and construction. Each of these has to be satisfied for the Certificate of Lawfulness to be passed.

The mobile home must be no more than 20m long, 6.8m wide and 3.05m in height. It has to be capable of being transported by road, and it should be built from no more than 2 sections that have been separately constructed and designed to be assembled on site. If these requirements are satisfied then the annexe can be approved as a mobile home and planning consent granted.

The planning process

Who are iHus

We’re the UK’s foremost name in bespoke garden annexes. Our homes are unequalled for their design flair and build quality, and every iHus annexe features a 10-year insurance-backed guarantee. Our experts even handle all aspects of planning to make the whole process stress-free. It’s good to know we also tailor our approach around needs and aspirations, from our free opening site consultation to our generous choice of finishing touches.

10 year guarantee on ihus Granny annexes

Watertight Guarantee

Every single iHus annexe is protected by a copper-bottomed 10-year guarantee against faulty workmanship. Insurance- backed, it covers both the annexe structure and all groundworks.

It’s also good to know we boast more than three decades in construction and some 400 luxury garden annexes nationwide to our name, so you can trust us to deliver a home you’ll love for many years to come.

granny annexe planning

Annexe Planning Permission

Obtaining planning permissions from the Local Planning Authority for your annexe build is a vital part of our service – and we’re successful nine times out of ten.

Our favoured route is to pursue a householder planning application. But if this fails we can also submit a Caravan Act application, which can often gain us the permission we need to build.

annexes for all

Superb Choice

We have the perfect iHus to match your needs to perfection. You can choose from our impressive collection of luxurious one and two-bed annexes from as little as £106,387 – or we can create a completely customised home to your exact specifications.

All our annexes begin life at our workshops in South Yorkshire, where we also source our enviable selections of high quality fixtures and fittings.

streamline process

Streamline Process

Gaining planning consent from Local Planning Authority (LPA) is the first stage. Then we map out a convenient building schedule with you.

Thanks to our smart production facilities and ultra-efficient planning, we can generally construct an iHus annexe in as little as seven weeks. That includes everything from the groundworks up – all the way to our rigorous post-build quality checks.

Setting the standards for annexe building.

iHus proudly follow the guidelines laid out in the National Annexe Providers Consultancy. To find out more visit napc.uk.

Pamela, 71

From Devon

Next steps

Your iHus journey begins with an initial call to get to know you a little better and to understand your needs.

Talking to one of our iHus Annexe Experts we can answer any questions you might have and lay the groundwork for your perfect iHus Annexe.

We begin by getting to know you personally. chatting to you via zoom in your free virtual consultation will help us to understand your personal family situation and your needs so that we can build an iHus that is perfect for you.

We’ll also get to know about the plot of garden land you have in mind to situate the annexe. Its size, shape and orientation – as well as your available budget so that we can plan ahead.

Next, we’ll chat through the best size and layouts for your new home to perfectly match your unique requirements and personal preferences. This includes whether you would prefer one or two bedrooms, as well as how we can design your iHus in a way that reflects your lifestyle.

Talk to our planning experts

Regardless of who builds your annexe it is important that you comply with all planning and building control regulations. Fill in the form below to receive our free guide to annexe planning

Download our guide to annexe planning

Regardless of who builds your annexe, it is important that you comply with all planning and building control regulations. Fill in the form below to receive our free guide to annexe planning

Download our iHus annexe brochure

If you would like to download our annexe brochure, please complete the form below. You can also request for a hard copy to be posted to your home address. Have any further questions, why not request one of our team get in touch?

Talk to an expert

Whether you’re looking to build a garden annexe, or just have a quick question, get in touch with us today and one of our friendly team will get back to you.

Get in touch with iHus

If you want to speak to one of the team about how Multi-Generational Living can be achieved by building an annexe. Complete the form below.

Book your Free Open Hus Visit

If you would like to view an annexe show home, please complete the form below. Have any further questions, why not request one of our team get in touch?

Download our Annexe Financial Guide

If you would like to download our annexe finance guide please complete the form below. Have any further questions, why not request one of our team get in touch?

Download our iHus annexe brochure

If you would like to download our annexe brochure please complete the form below. You call also request for a copy to be posted to your home address. Have any further questions, why not request one of our team get in touch?