As the weather warms up, millions of Brits are heading outside to soak up the sunshine and get stuck into garden projects. Refreshing your outdoor space can be exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming, especially if you’re planning something more ambitious that may require planning permission.

Gardens are becoming increasingly creative and complex. Over 1 in 5 gardeners (22%) are downsizing their lawns in favour of decking, paving, plant beds, and entertainment zones. Meanwhile, garden rooms, home offices, and multifunctional outdoor spaces are booming in popularity, with the market expected to hit £742.2 million by 2027. Bigger landscaping projects like these often come with rules, restrictions, and paperwork that many homeowners overlook until it’s too late. 

Some will require planning permission, which is the approval needed from your local council to make certain changes to a property, including its garden. This might cover changes such as building an extension, putting up a garden room, or laying new hard surfaces.

Introduced by the Town and Country Planning Act 1947 in response to a boom in post-war development, the planning system covers everything from the environmental impact and sustainability of your project, to safety and neighbourhood aesthetics.

Do Garden Projects Need Planning Permission?

Planning permission can be a bit of a minefield, especially if you're tackling your first garden project. Every month, on average, 1,000 Brits Google “Do I need planning permission for a shed”, while another 720 search for garage-related rules. That’s a lot of people who are unsure about what does and doesn’t need permission.

Doing your homework before you start digging is essential, and checking local regulations is a good place to start, but if you're still feeling unsure after some online research, it’s worth reaching out to an expert. This could save you a lot of time, stress, and potentially costly mistakes down the line.

The good news? Not all garden projects will require planning permission. Some will fall under “permitted development”, which is a set of rules that allow certain changes to be made without formal permission. However, this is only provided that specific conditions are met.

Typical examples of permitted development include:

• Small rear extensions within size limits
• Sheds, garden rooms, or other outbuildings under a certain height
• Patios or decking under a specific height
• Driveways built with permeable materials (to help with drainage)

However, permitted development rights aren’t the same across the UK. They can vary depending on your location, the type of property you own, and any previous changes that have been made. For instance, you might not have these rights if your home is listed, in a conservation area, in a national park or is covered by an Article 4 Direction (which removes certain rights).

In many situations, planning permission will not be needed, however, if your project does need permission and you don’t apply for it, the council can issue an enforcement notice asking you to undo the work. Failure to comply could lead to fines, court proceedings and even jail time!

To help avoid this, we spoke to expert Elliott Brookes, Partner, Property Disputes Team at B P Collins, who has shared useful insights to make sure your garden project gets the green light as quickly as possible.

Seven Things to Consider Before Starting Your 2025 Garden Project 

Elliott Brookes, Partner, Property Disputes Team at B P Collins’ top seven things to consider before carrying out a garden project:

1. Know Your Boundaries
   Before picking up a shovel, make sure you know exactly where your property ends and your neighbour’s begins. If you're working near fences, hedges, or shared walls, double-check ownership and avoid encroaching on someone else's land; this can save you from disputes later.
2. Check Your Deeds for Restrictive Covenants
   Some properties are bound by legal covenants that limit what you can build or how you can use outdoor structures. For example, your deeds might prohibit outbuildings or limit the use of a garden room as an office. Always check for these restrictions before making design decisions or starting any gardening work.
3. Look Out for Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs)
   If you’re planning to prune, cut down, or plant trees and hedges, check with your local authority first. Trees may be protected by a TPO, and certain hedges or older trees in front gardens can be restricted too, especially in conservation areas. It is best to check with the local authority. 
4. Know When Planning Permission Is Required
   Some changes may seem minor but still require planning permission. You may not think you need permission, but there are common renovations like adding height to fences or laying new hard surfaces that actually require Local Planning Authority sign off. For example, fencing in your back garden that separates your garden from your neighbour’s can be a maximum of two metres (6.5 feet) in height, and this includes any trellis topper. 
5. Plan for Delays and Budget Surprises
   Even with the best-laid plans, projects can run into timing and cost issues. Set aside a contingency fund and factor in possible delays to permission approvals or unexpected legal checks.
6. Get Expert Support Early
   Use your local planning portal to speak to a planning officer, reach out to a property and disputes solicitor or hire a landscape architect with experience in permissions. Submitting clear, detailed plans from the start can avoid back-and-forths that waste time and money in the long run.
7. Consider Your Neighbours
   Talk to your neighbours before work begins, as their objections can stall or stop your application from going through. Think about how your project might affect their privacy or light, and consider adding planting or screening to soften the impact of any changes visually where possible.

Areas Where You’re Most Likely to Get Permission Granted

Looking at planning permission applications (which specifically mention “gardens” within the application) across 30 Metropolitan council areas in England, we found that the number of decisions being made by councils YoY is down by 10%. The number has decreased from 2,092 in 2023 to 1,889 in 2024. The number of these requests being granted is also down (13% YoY).

We’ve reviewed this data to find out where you’re most likely to get approval, based on recent council decisions, 2024 figures. 

Table 1: Councils with the highest percentage of garden-related planning requests granted in 2024
Metropolitan Council	County	Percentage of garden requests granted in 2024
1. Knowsley Borough Council	Merseyside	94%
2. Barnsley Borough Council	South Yorkshire	93%
3. South Tyneside Borough Council	Tyne and Wear	91%
4. Stockport Borough Council	Greater Manchester	89%
5. Salford City Council	Greater Manchester	86%
6. St Helens Borough Council	Merseyside	85%
7. Bury Borough Council	Greater Manchester	84%
8. Sunderland City Council	Tyne and Wear	84%
9. Solihull Borough Council	West Midlands	83%
10. Wolverhampton City Council	West Midlands	81%

Tom Armenante, director at GTSE said, 

“Our data analysis found that the majority of application decisions in 2024 were positive for those applying - on average, 65% of applications were granted by England’s Metropolitan Councils, and these figures were over 90% for the top three councils in our list, Knowsley, Barnsley and South Tyneside.”

Tom adds,

“Many factors are at play here, including: the quality of applications; whether the properties are located on or near conservation areas and national parks; and whether it is a listed property or an area with limited space availability. With each local authority having slightly differing sets of rules and property types, it is understandable to see some variation in the number of applications granted. What is clear, though, is that good design, planning, and clear communication with the neighbours can help smooth the way to a successful application.”

As garden projects become more ambitious, it’s crucial to understand the rules before you start. Skipping this step can lead to costly setbacks. A little preparation and expert guidance can help you avoid delays, gain any necessary approvals and create the outdoor space you’ve been dreaming of.

At GTSE, we sell a range of high-quality products such as cable ties, fixtures and fastenings to help you create a practical outdoor space to be enjoyed for years to come.