Defining 'habitation' in planning

beneton

We plan on getting a wooden garden room installed to the rear of our property. It's well within dimensions of a class 3 exempted development, will have electricity but no plumbing. It's planned use is as a den/play house for kids but we were also thinking of using it as guest room when cousins/family come to stay over summers and holidays and sleepovers. Does this constitute 'habitation' and therefore need for full planning permission? Would appreciate advise and/or shared experience. Many thanks.

DOCARCH

Really quite a grey one this!

Aside from areas of exemption, etc. - assuming all the necessary criteria can be met for exemption - usually if the structure is 'incidental to the use/enjoymnet of the main house', it is exempt from planning.

Make of that what you will!

A den or playroom may be o.k. as 'incidental to the use/enjoymnet of the main house' but using it for additional sleeping accomodation may be pushing it? I would not like to say or suggest that use is exempt?

Individual local authorities would also have there own opinions - would you consider speaking with them?

sydthebeat

http://irishplanningnews.ie/a-shomera-structure-in-the-rear-garden-of-house-found-to-be-exempt-from-planning/

http://www.pleanala.ie/casenum/RL2885.htm

have a read, especially the inspectors report.

the safest thing to do would be to apply for a section 8 declaration and argue on the basis of the above case.

(as a slight aside, its amazing how the inspectors interpretation was so far removed what the general consensus on these issues was!!)