Once you know what you need from your Bonni (if you want heating, running water and so on), it will become clear if you need planning permission. A general rule of thumb is that you will not need it for an outbuilding with a maximum eaves’ height of 2.5 metres and a maximum roof height of 4 metres with a dual pitched roof. Even so, a structure that might not require planning consent in one set of circumstances might need it in another. For example, if your house is listed, or in a conservation area or an AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) rules may require permission.
Your Bonni will be considered Permitted Development and won’t need planning permission as long as:
It is less than 2m away from the boundary of your original house and a maximum overall height of no more than 2.5m from existing ground level.
It is to be placed more than 2m from the boundary of your original house, with a maximum eave height of 2.5m and a maximum overall height of 3m for a flat roof and 4m for pitched. Our Bonni Small and Medium will fall under this category. For our Bonni Large you will need to apply for planning permission.
It is no bigger than 30m2 (internal size). Our Bonni Small and Medium fall under this category. For our Bonni Large you will need to apply for planning permission.
To summarise; if you would like a Bonni taller than 2.5m eave height and placed less than 2m from your boundary you will NEED to apply for planning permission.
You will also need planning permission if you decide to use your Bonni for living accommodation or if you:
add running water
it takes up more than 50% of the area of land around your original house
It is closer to a road or public highway than your original house
It is more than 30m2 (internal size). The Bonni Large is over this threshold and you will need to apply for planning permission
Special Considerations to factor in are:
If your original house is listed then there are additional rules that must apply. If your Bonni is to be placed within the curtilage of your property then you will need to apply for planning permission.
If your original house is located on designated land such as national parks, the Broads, World Heritage Sites, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and conservation areas then certain rules apply.
If your Bonni is to be placed in either national parks, World Heritage Sites, the Broads or Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty then the maximum area to be covered for a Bonni sitting more than 20m from any wall of the original house is 10m2 (our Bonni Small). Anything bigger than this will require planning permission.
If your Bonni is to be placed on designated land, so includes conservation areas, you cannot have a Bonni to the side of your original house.
Once you have clarified these points then you can refer to the ‘normal planning rules’ and the above criteria.
Overall, slightly different rules apply in different parts of the UK. A good place to start is the government’s online planning portal which offers quick and easy advice. While it only applies to England, the rules are broadly similar in the rest of the UK. You will need to consult your local planning officer with your intentions for a guide on what might be required. We can support you with any applications needed.
