Nothing bursts your ‘dream granny annexe’ bubble quite like the thought of planning permission. If you are planning to build a granny annexe in your garden, the planning permission process is likely one of the first hurdles you’ll come across. Luckily, here at iHus, we are experts in the planning, design and build of granny annexes. And we know all there is to know about the granny annexe planning permission process.
Do I Need Planning Permission For My Granny Annexe?
It is certainly one of our most frequently asked questions. And the answer is yes. It’s likely that you will need some type of granny annexe planning permission. But don’t let that be a deterrent! The granny annexe planning permission process doesn’t have to be a daunting task. And we will be with you every step of the way.
At iHus, we offer a Pre-Check, which will outline any constraints that you may face when applying for planning permission. For example, your garden may be apart of a Conservation Area, or the space you have may not be big enough for the annexe you have in mind.
Any constraints found will be put into a detailed report and given to the consultant before they meet with you to discuss your plans. Our consultant will then be able to provide knowledgeable advice and get your granny annexe plans started off in the best possible way.
What Are My Granny Annexe Planning Permission Options?
When obtaining permission from your Local Planning Authority to build a granny annexe in your garden, there are two routes you can go down. You can either apply for planning permission through the Householder Planning Application process or apply for a Certificate of Lawfulness through the Caravan Sites Act 1968.
Our experts have first-hand experience of working with various Local Planning Authorities. They will always know which the best route is to take. If you want to save time and potentially a lot of money, it’s essential that you let our experts handle the granny annexe planning permission process.
Planning Permission Through The Householder Planning Application Process
If we believe that your Granny Annexe planning permission process is going to be unproblematic, we will recommend applying for planning permission through the Householder’s Planning Application. This is our preferred planning permission process.
This is the same application process you would use if you were applying to build an extension on your home or raise the decking area of your garden etc. It is likely that your Local Planning Authority will have questions regarding your granny annexe.
All Local Planning Authorities are different. Some may class a granny annexe as a new, separate dwelling to the main house. In this case, they will request a Full Application, which is likely to take longer and cost more. However, it’s worth noting that iHus’ Granny Annexes, even though they are self-contained, are designed to be ancillary accommodation to the main house.
Once you have submitted your application and it has been validated, you will usually have an answer from your LPA in less than 8 weeks. In the unlikely event that your granny annexe planning permission is refused, we will re-submit the application as an appeal or under The Caravan Act.
Certificate Of Lawfulness Through The Caravan Act
Obtaining a Certificate of Lawfulness from your Local Planning Authority under the Caravan Act tends to be our back-up plan. All of the iHus granny annexes are classed as mobile homes. But don’t worry, your granny annexe will in no way look like a mobile home or a caravan of any kind. And it certainly won’t have wheels!
But in the eyes of the law, a granny annexe has similar dimensions to a large mobile home and is not permanently fixed to the ground (like a brick structure). Instead, it can be lifted and transported by road. In terms of time, obtaining planning permission through the Caravan Act also takes around 8 weeks.
Why Might My Granny Annexe Planning Permission Get Refused?
With iHus, it is rare for granny annexe planning permission to be refused. However, it’s not unheard of. There are three main reasons why your granny annexe planning permission may be refused. The Local Planning Authority may refuse your application because:
- The Granny Annexe is too big
- The Granny Annexe has too many rooms
- The Granny Annexe has too many facilities
Your Local Planning Authority will only grant permission for a granny annexe to be built if they truly believe that it is ancillary accommodation to the main house rather than an independent dwelling.
The vast majority of refusals we have come across are due to the size of the granny annexe. This is why our core range of granny annexes are designed with the purpose of being an ancillary accommodation to the main house.
To reduce the change of your planning permission being refused, we aim to ensure that your granny annexe is subordinate to the main house and has some shared facilities with the main house (such as laundry facilities). This proves that the granny annexe is part of the main house rather than a separate dwelling. We also try to ensure that your granny annexe does not take up more than 50% of your overall garden area.
Get In Touch
Here at iHus, we specialise in the design and build of luxury granny annexes. We also have an economical range of Cosy Pods available.
If you’re thinking about investing in your very own dream annexe with a beautiful bathroom, spacious living area, fully-fitted kitchen and bedroom, we can help! We even offer affordable financing options.
We take care of planning permission, provide complete project management on-site and ensure that every detail of your garden annexe is finished to an exceptional standard. All you have to do is move in.
If you have any questions about our range of granny annexes or you would like to book a free consultation, simply get in touch. A member of our team will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
