Planing rules/permission for back garden observatories?

Hi All,

I have been getting closer and closer to building an observatory in my back
garden (fed up with the set up time in and out of my current shed), and
thought it prudent to ask the news group for collective knowledge and
understanding of the planing rules and requirements for such a structure.

Assuming a dedicated building, built from either wood or brick/breeze block,
with either a dome or roll-off roof, are there any important planing issues
in terms of location, height, size, etc I need to take into account?

Your combined wisdom is anticipated with appreciation.


Very best wishes and clear, dark skies.

--

/Paul B, York, UK.
http://homepages.tesco.net/paul.buglass/astrohome.htm
York Astronomical Society
www.yorkastro.co.uk

"Paul Buglass" paul.removethisandthisbuglassalsothis2005@btinter net.com
wrote in message ...
Hi All,

I have been getting closer and closer to building an observatory in my
back
garden (fed up with the set up time in and out of my current shed), and
thought it prudent to ask the news group for collective knowledge and
understanding of the planing rules and requirements for such a structure.

Assuming a dedicated building, built from either wood or brick/breeze
block,
with either a dome or roll-off roof, are there any important planing
issues
in terms of location, height, size, etc I need to take into account?

Your combined wisdom is anticipated with appreciation.


Very best wishes and clear, dark skies.

--

/Paul B, York, UK.
http://homepages.tesco.net/paul.buglass/astrohome.htm
York Astronomical Society
www.yorkastro.co.uk

You should be okay but it might be worth asking at your local council
office. I had a quick look on a site I had bookmarked from when I needed to
remove our boundary wall, which the council had built the pedestrian
courseway right up to without any shuttering! Cheers guys. ;o)

From a Rotherham Council site...
"Is Building Control Approval needed?

Building Regulations approval is needed for any detached carport, garage or
other buildings of less than 30sq m (323sq ft) floor area, if it is situated
less than 1m (3ft 3in) from any boundary, unless the building is constructed
of substantially non-combustible material (that is, there is no timber in
its construction except for doors, windows and fascias).

Detached buildings which are less than 30sq m (323sq ft) floor area, and
more than 1m (3ft 3in) from any boundary are exempt from Building Control. "

HTH,
Jim

"James Hill" wrote in message
...
SNIP

Forgot to add the website... Duhuh!

http://www.rotherham.gov.uk/ - under "Your Home" / "Planning" / "Householder
Guidance Leaflets" and I think it's number 12 on the list.

Ta,
Jim

Detached buildings which are less than 30sq m (323sq ft) floor area, and
more than 1m (3ft 3in) from any boundary are exempt from Building Control.
"


As a residential property you have a permitted development allowance of 70
cubic metres (without the need for planning permision though you may have to
conform to buiilding regs), however this allowance must take into account
any buildings within 5 meters of your property.

The real bug bear on this one though which screwed me for not needing
plannng permison for an extention was that if you have a detached garage
within the 5m of your property whether it was built at the time of the
property or not it is classed as part of your 70cubic meters of building
allowence.

An average single garage ~2.5m high comes out at 45cubic meters leaving you
25cubic meters to play with. Of course as has been mentioned if the
observatory is made of wood or you have a drarf wall and the rest is glassed
like a conservatory you don't need planning permision.

Though some local councils have slightly differing takes on what does and
dosn't need planning permision the above information relates directly to
Lincoln county councul.

Hope this helps

Damian



--
Damian Burrin
UKRA 1159 Level 2 RSO
EARS 1115
http://www.ukrocketry.com
http://www.larf-rocketry.co.uk

LARF - Putting the amateur back in rocketry!!

"James Hill" wrote in message
...
"Paul Buglass" paul.removethisandthisbuglassalsothis2005@btinter net.com
wrote in message ...
Hi All,

I have been getting closer and closer to building an observatory in my
back
garden (fed up with the set up time in and out of my current shed), and
thought it prudent to ask the news group for collective knowledge and
understanding of the planing rules and requirements for such a structure.

Assuming a dedicated building, built from either wood or brick/breeze
block,
with either a dome or roll-off roof, are there any important planing
issues
in terms of location, height, size, etc I need to take into account?

Your combined wisdom is anticipated with appreciation.


Very best wishes and clear, dark skies.

--

/Paul B, York, UK.
http://homepages.tesco.net/paul.buglass/astrohome.htm
York Astronomical Society
www.yorkastro.co.uk

You should be okay but it might be worth asking at your local council
office. I had a quick look on a site I had bookmarked from when I needed
to remove our boundary wall, which the council had built the pedestrian
courseway right up to without any shuttering! Cheers guys. ;o)

From a Rotherham Council site...
"Is Building Control Approval needed?

Building Regulations approval is needed for any detached carport, garage
or other buildings of less than 30sq m (323sq ft) floor area, if it is
situated less than 1m (3ft 3in) from any boundary, unless the building is
constructed of substantially non-combustible material (that is, there is
no timber in its construction except for doors, windows and fascias).

Detached buildings which are less than 30sq m (323sq ft) floor area, and
more than 1m (3ft 3in) from any boundary are exempt from Building Control.
"

HTH,
Jim

"Paul Buglass" paul.removethisandthisbuglassalsothis2005@btinter net.com
wrote in message ...
Hi All,

I have been getting closer and closer to building an observatory in my
back
garden (fed up with the set up time in and out of my current shed), and
thought it prudent to ask the news group for collective knowledge and
understanding of the planing rules and requirements for such a structure.

Assuming a dedicated building, built from either wood or brick/breeze
block,
with either a dome or roll-off roof, are there any important planing
issues
in terms of location, height, size, etc I need to take into account?

Your combined wisdom is anticipated with appreciation.

worth a look : http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/genpub/en/

worth a look : http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/genpub/en/

some useful info (might be tighter rules than you need outside a national
park ! )

http://www.lake-district.gov.uk/a/pl.../planning1.pdf

http://www.lake-district.gov.uk/a/pl.../planning2.pdf

[quote=Paul Buglass]Hi All,

I have been getting closer and closer to building an observatory in my back
garden (fed up with the set up time in and out of my current shed), and
thought it prudent to ask the news group for collective knowledge and
understanding of the planing rules and requirements for such a structure.

Assuming a dedicated building, built from either wood or brick/breeze block,
with either a dome or roll-off roof, are there any important planing issues
in terms of location, height, size, etc I need to take into account?

Your combined wisdom is anticipated with appreciation.

Paul B, York, UK.

To my knowledge all who have fallen foul of BC or Planners have describes "building an observatory". Describe it, if you must, as a shed for housing a telescope much like a potting shed or garden workshop for the enjoyment of the householder much like that which probably exists for your neighbours. That said it should be of modest size, under 4m high and suitably located. Like a shed it can be of any material and should not need either BC or Planning Permission, if you play your cards right. Good luck.

Nytecam