There’s nothing quite like living in a National Park area to enjoy the most of some of the UK’s top beauty spots. However, as part and parcel of living and loving these areas, they are trickier to get planning permission for than other, non-protected areas. Today the Monarch Oak team are breaking down some of the ins-and-outs of development in the South Downs National Park area, and things you should know as a homeowner here.
What is the South Downs National Park Local Plan, Anyway?
The entirety of the area included in the South Downs National Park works according to the South Downs Local Plan. It was developed after interaction with local communities as well as examination by Government policymakers, and has been developed to help property owners develop and maintain their properties without encroaching on what makes the park special. Think biodiversity, landscape, cultural heritage, and character as well as the economic needs of the area. It was adopted from July 2019, and different aspects of the plan can apply depending on the exact location of the property within the area.
- Whole Estate Plans: Whole estate plans are prepared by individual landowning organisations to display their existing infrastructure and assets, and address future-forward plans, too. The idea is to look at individual land holdings in a more holistic way, so landowners and the National Park Authority can work together to develop the area synergistically with all goals considered.
- Neighbourhood Plans: Neighbourhood plans work on a smaller, local community area, so locals can have a say in the evolution of their communities, too. Planning permission is typically derived from these plans (as is the appeals process) and also helps with aspects like raising funds for local projects, and keeping the community proactive in the development of their own area. There’s currently over 50 parishes in the South Downs National Park area which are in the process of preparing these Neighbourhood Plans or already have them in play.
So where do you start to see the guidelines that specifically apply to your area? Looking at your Parish plan (if completed), or getting actively involved in its development, is the best place to start.
Do I Need Planning Permission in the SDNP?
Planning in an area as sensitive as a National Park is a complex matter indeed. As a rule of thumb, the only things that need planning permission are those which meet the statutory definition of ‘development’. This means that some types of building work can be carried out under what is known as ‘Permitted Development Rights’ without needing outright planning permission. If you’re not sure whether your project needs planning permission, you can use the DINPP, or Do I Need Planning Permission, form to directly communicate with the local relevant authority in charge of planning in your areas of the South Downs National Park. This information is available to you on their website. You can also use this resource to see if you fall under the SNDP area, and which specific area.
Important Things to Know
For any home improvement addition like garages in the SDNP area, there’s some facets to bear in mind:
- Eave and roof height cannot be higher than the existing property, and should typically be under 4m total
- This drops to 2.5m when within 2m of your property boundaries
- Garages typically fall within ‘outbuilding’ legislation in this area
- In areas like the SNDP, any outbuildings further than 20m from your house cannot cover more than 10m2
- It’s typically easier to develop within the ‘curtilage’, or immediate surrounds, of the original house, although outbuildings here cannot cover more than 50% of the land
- In the SNDP, garages and other outbuildings/incidental buildings are covered in general as Class E improvements for homeowners and may not require planning permission if certain provisions are met
- Class E structures cannot be in advance of the front of the original house walls- like at the front of a property.
- Likewise, areas like the SNDP typically require planning permission for buildings built at the side of a property.
So this means as a general rule of thumb, garages at the back of a property can be built as a Class E improvement in the SDNP area, where buildings at the sides may require planning permission and a garage in front of the house would definitely require planning permission, if it will be granted at all. Do bear in mind that driveways are governed separately and you should always plan for how to get to your new oak garage as well as how to build it!
Should you determine you require planning permission for your intended garage, you can speed up the planning permission process by applying for a Lawful Development Certificate to show your plans are in line with the community guidance for your specific area.
As you can see, there’s little clearcut about developing within a National Parks area, so your best course of action will always be to shoot an email to your local parish development planner and see if your project will require planning permission, and if it will be allowed at all. However, as a rule of thumb, don’t expect to be able to build a garage at the front of your SDNP property without a lot of justification and specific planning permission to break ‘the rules’. Luckily, Monarch Oak’s unique oak garages are so flexible and adaptable to a range of purposes, you’re sure to find a solution that works for you. Don’t be afraid to reach out to us for any help you need!