UK Greenhouse Planning Permission Checker — Free Online Tool
UK Greenhouse Planning Permission Checker
Check whether your greenhouse needs planning permission under UK Permitted Development rules. Covers England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and special area restrictions. This is general guidance and not legal advice — always confirm with your local planning authority for definitive answers.
Permitted Development
Disclaimer: This checker provides general guidance based on standard UK Permitted Development rules as of 2026. Local authorities may apply additional restrictions, especially in conservation areas, AONB, and National Parks. Always confirm with your local planning department before installation. This is not legal advice.
What "Permitted Development" actually means for greenhouses
Permitted Development is a national set of planning rules in the UK that lets you build certain structures in your garden without applying for planning permission. For greenhouses specifically, the standard limits in England are: eaves height ≤ 2.5 m, total height ≤ 4 m (or ≤ 2.5 m within 2 m of a boundary), footprint ≤ 50% of the garden area, and no structure forward of the principal house elevation.
Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have slightly different thresholds but the core principle is the same — modest garden structures are pre-approved. Special area designations (listed buildings, conservation areas, AONB, National Parks, Article 4 Directions) can restrict or remove these Permitted Development rights, which is why our checker asks about them explicitly.
How NORDIC sizes compare to Permitted Development limits
All five NORDIC sizes fall well within standard Permitted Development limits for typical UK gardens:
| NORDIC size | Footprint | Eaves height | Total height | Min garden for 50% rule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NORDIC-S | 5.2 m² | ~1.8 m | ~2.4 m | 10.4 m² |
| NORDIC-M | 7.8 m² | ~1.8 m | ~2.4 m | 15.6 m² |
| NORDIC-L | 10.4 m² | ~1.8 m | ~2.4 m | 20.8 m² |
| NORDIC-XL | 13.0 m² | ~1.8 m | ~2.4 m | 26.0 m² |
| NORDIC-XXL | 15.6 m² | ~1.8 m | ~2.4 m | 31.2 m² |
All NORDIC sizes have ~1.8 m eaves and ~2.4 m total height — well within the 2.5 m / 4 m limits in all four UK nations. The only constraint to watch is the 50% garden coverage rule: for the largest NORDIC-XXL, you need a back garden of at least 31.2 m² (typical small UK garden is 100–200 m², so this is rarely a problem).
When the answer is "maybe" — amber zones
Conservation areas, AONB, and National Parks don't automatically require planning permission for greenhouses, but they DO impose stricter design and visibility constraints. A small (≤30 m²) timber greenhouse like NORDIC is typically allowed in these areas under Permitted Development, but it's worth a 10-minute phone call to your local planning department before installation. They'll often confirm informally for free.
If you want legal certainty — especially if you might sell the house in the next 5–10 years and want zero planning ambiguity — apply for a Lawful Development Certificate. Cost £103 in England (2026), processing time 8 weeks. This documents formally that your greenhouse complies with Permitted Development and protects future buyers.
When the answer is "no" — planning permission required
Three scenarios automatically require planning permission:
- Listed building or within listed curtilage: any structure needs both planning permission AND listed building consent. Engage a planning consultant.
- Article 4 Direction in effect: your local authority has formally removed Permitted Development rights for your area. Full application required.
- Exceeding standard thresholds: eaves > 2.5 m, total height > 4 m, footprint > 50% of garden, or structure forward of the principal house elevation.
Planning permission application: householder fee £206 (England 2026), 8-week determination period typically, application fee non-refundable if refused. Engage a planning consultant if your case is complex (£400–1,200 for typical small structures).
Frequently asked questions
Does a greenhouse count as an "outbuilding" for Permitted Development?
Yes — under Class E of the General Permitted Development Order (England, with similar provisions in other UK nations), a greenhouse is treated as an "outbuilding" or "ancillary building". The standard outbuilding rules apply: ≤ 50% of garden, ≤ 4 m total height (dual pitch), ≤ 2.5 m eaves, ≤ 2.5 m total height within 2 m of boundary.
What if my house is in a conservation area but isn't listed?
Conservation areas restrict but don't remove Permitted Development rights. Greenhouses ≤ 30 m² are usually fine under Permitted Development in conservation areas. Above 30 m² you typically need planning permission. The visual impact also matters — your local conservation officer may ask for natural-finish timber rather than painted, or specific siting away from public-facing boundaries.
Does the type of materials matter — timber vs metal?
For Permitted Development eligibility, material doesn't matter — only dimensions. However, in conservation areas and AONB, planning officers do consider visual impact. Natural-finish pine from sustainably-managed forests (NORDIC's default) typically gets approved more readily than painted aluminium or unpainted galvanised steel in heritage-sensitive areas.
What about boundary rules — how close can I build to the fence?
Standard rule: if any part of the greenhouse is within 2 m of a property boundary, the maximum total height drops from 4 m to 2.5 m. All NORDIC sizes are ~2.4 m total height, so this is automatically OK. But check distance from boundaries — boundary fences are often 1.8 m tall, so the greenhouse can be very close to a fence without issues, but consider neighbour relations and any restrictive covenants in your deeds.
Is a foundation slab considered "development"?
A simple paving slab base or NORDIC's Heavy-duty Ground Anchors are not considered "development" — they're temporary fixings. A poured concrete pad, however, can be considered a permanent foundation in some local interpretations. Most local authorities don't pursue this for small garden structures, but it's worth noting if you're in a conservation-sensitive area.
What if my neighbour objects?
Under Permitted Development, your neighbour cannot block the installation through formal planning objection (because no planning application is happening). However, restrictive covenants in title deeds CAN block construction even when Permitted Development allows it. Check your deeds for "no buildings in rear garden" type clauses. Also consider neighbour relations — informing them in advance reduces friction. The Party Wall Act 1996 doesn't apply to garden structures more than ~1 m from a boundary wall.
How accurate is this checker?
The checker reflects standard UK Permitted Development rules as of 2026 and catches the most common scenarios correctly. Edge cases — flat conversions with no garden, sloping plots where height calculations are non-trivial, Article 4 Directions that vary by local authority — need confirmation from your specific local planning department. The £100 cost of a Lawful Development Certificate is the only way to get legally definitive certainty.