As the retained planning consultancy for a wide range of garden room providers, we have noticed an increasing resistance to granny annexes throughout London Boroughs as part of their crackdown on ‘beds in sheds’.
It would appear that perfectly acceptable granny annexe proposals are being unfairly branded as inappropriate housing.
It is true that some unscrupulous landlords have tried to misinterpret Class E permitted development rights and let out inappropriate outbuildings to paying tenants. Cases such as these should be tackled by the LPA enforcement departments. However, the concept of a genuine granny annexe is often a perfectly acceptable and sustainable development.
Circular 11/95 makes specific provision for granny annexes and the government have recently stressed their support in the 2013 Autumn Statement:
“With both an ageing population and young people finding it difficult to get on the housing ladder, the government wants to remove barriers to extended families living together”.
At Plainview Planning we have extensive experience in ancillary residential accommodation, such as granny annexes and staff accommodation. If you have been caught up in the ‘Beds in Sheds’ campaigns, with planning permission refused or facing enforcement action, feel free to contact our expert – Oliver Wright (oliver@plainview.co.uk).