The post UK Builders Are Finding Wooden Garages Solve Permitted Development Headaches That Brick Structures Cannot appeared first on UK Construction Blog.
UK builders are constantly searching for solutions to the hassles that come with traditional brick garages. Regular masonry garages, which used to come in handy for making residential properties more functional and valuable, now need ample planning permission.
This might not be bad in itself, but it causes delays, increases the cost of building, and sometimes results in rejection. This is quite a challenge, but UK builders have found a way around it, thanks to wooden garages.
Built from durable logs, wooden garages offer homeowners versatile spaces that accommodate their vehicles while catering to their lifestyle needs.
Let’s find out how wooden garages are changing garage construction in the UK.
The Planning Permission Problem
Over the years, the planning permission process has become a major challenge to builders in the UK. It affected project delivery, and outbuildings like garages are mostly the victims.
Due to the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, several garage constructions are unqualified for automatic approval under permitted development rights. There are various reasons for this, and these reasons were created for the protection of environmental standards, neighbour privacy, and local amenities.
Major restrictions include boundary setbacks. If a building exceeds 2.5 metres in height, it shouldn’t be less than 1 metre from any boundary, according to the Permitted Development Order.
Height limits are equally restrictive. Dual-pitched roofs are capped at 4 metres, while flat roofs are limited to 3 metres. That’s not all, as buildings shouldn’t sit on more than 50% of the garden area. Also, under permitted development, forward-facing structures are prohibited.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with sticking to standards, but in this situation, the temporal and financial toll is significant. The average standard planning fee is £462 for householders.
Interestingly, this isn’t the only fee. Things could get a lot more complex, and architect fees for drawings and submissions can raise this figure by £1,000 to £3,000. This process goes on for 8 to 12 weeks and could be longer if there is a need for revision.
There is also a high rate of rejection. Studies show that many outbuilding applications suffer rejection. This ultimately leads to a loss in revenue for builders. Of course, when a project is stalled, delays in payments often follow. Plus, capital gets tied up, and clients might end up turning their backs on the project.
Homeowners, meanwhile, deal with mounting irritation as their need for secure parking or storage goes unmet.
Why Wooden Structures Qualify Differently
The key to bypassing the planning hurdles lies in the classification of structures under permitted development rights. Wooden structures are considered temporary, and this is how they differ from permanent brick or concrete garages, which are considered fixed additions. This distinction, rooted in the General Permitted Development Order (GPDO) 2015, brings an increase in lenient approvals so long as the criteria are met.
Like a brick garage, the heights must be under 4 metres for pitched roofs or 3 metres for flat roofs. Placement must also be at least 2 metres from boundaries if over 2.5 metres tall (or 1 metre if under), with coverage not exceeding 50% of the curtilage. Plus, a wooden garage cannot be sited forward of the principal elevation or used for purposes incidental to the dwelling, such as living accommodation.
This favouritism enjoyed by wooden structures can be traced to policy interpretations that give priority to non-permanent structures, as their impact on the environment isn’t considered long-term.
The Modern Wooden Garage Reality
Unlike in the past, when wooden outbuildings were seen as flimsy garden sheds that could rot, they are a lot more sophisticated today. They rival masonry in functionality while excelling in regulatory flexibility.
Wooden garages are usually crafted from durable timbers with a lifespan of over 25 years when maintained properly. They come with advanced features like full insulation for year-round use, high-security locking systems, and capacity for multiple vehicles or workshops.
In a sector troubled by planning delays, wooden garages are considered a lucrative niche. They have an installation margin of 25-35%, and this leads to projects getting turned over rapidly, ultimately leading to an increase in jobs annually.
This increase in demand can be traced to the increase in the conversion of garages into gyms, offices, or homes, leading to significant parking shortages in urban or suburban areas.
Partnerships with reputable wooden garden suppliers, UK builders can streamline operations, offering white-label products with warranties up to 10 years. This is particularly profitable in challenging locales, such as conservation areas where visual harmony is paramount, properties with prior planning refusals, tight urban plots with limited access, or regions like the Southeast with planning backlogs exceeding six months.
A wooden garage of £8,000 to £15,000 can yield an impressive return, with upselling opportunities in customisations like solar panels and green roofs.
Technical Considerations
Wooden garages come with some advantages. Nonetheless, they need careful handling. Foundations are a lot more important than people think.
Wooden garages have to be made of a reinforced concrete slab with a minimum thickness of 100 mm. When built on clay soils, deeper pads might be needed as per NHBC guidelines to avoid settlement.
Building Regulations compliance is non-negotiable. Part A requires calculations for load-bearing capacity, often verified by structural engineers at £500 to £1,000 per project. Fire separation mandates 1 to 2 metre gaps from boundaries or dwellings, with enhanced cladding in high-risk areas.
Electrical work for EV charging, a feature demanded by 40% of clients based on recent surveys, must follow BS 7671, incorporating RCD protection and surge suppressors.
Conclusion
In a regulatory environment that favours agility over permanence, wooden garages have become a force to reckon with for UK builders. Solving permitted development headaches that plague brick structures, builders can deliver efficiency, profitability, and client satisfaction.
As planning pressures mount, embracing the wooden-garage solution is a smart way to stay competitive. Builders who are ready to partner with quality suppliers and master the nuances will find themselves at the forefront of a booming UK housing market.