BATTLE OF THE GARDEN ROOM
ANCILLARY VS INCIDENTAL
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the ultimate showdown in the ring of planning permissions, where confusion has reigned supreme for too long!
In the Blue Corner, we have the often-misunderstood Incidental Development – known for its stealth, agility, and the promise of working without planning permission under Class E of Permitted Development Rights.
And in the Red Corner, it’s Ancillary Development, the heavyweight contender, squarely grounded in the legal necessity of planning permission for primary living accommodations.
This is no ordinary match. Homeowners, designers, and annexe builders have long struggled to tell these two apart. Both fighters play critical roles in shaping annexes, and outbuildings, yet they often leave folks perplexed and seeking answers.
So, let’s dig into this battle to clear the fog around these planning contenders and help you, the audience, see who holds the true title in your project needs.
ROUND 1: INTRODUCING INCIDENTAL DEVELOPMENT
With lightning footwork, Incidental Development moves through planning restrictions using the power of Schedule 2, Part 1, Class E from the GPDO.
Here’s where things get technical: Incidental Development allows homeowners to construct an outbuilding within their property’s curtilage without planning permission. Yes, you heard it – without planning permission! But, there are strict rules in place.
This contender’s secret weapon? The word “incidental.” That means it must be a by-product of your primary use as a home, for purposes like a garage, storage shed, home office, gym, art studio, or cinema room. And while you may sneak in a shower or toilet in your gym or garden office, it only remains incidental if it’s a sidekick to the primary purpose.
ROUND 2: ENTER ANCILLARY DEVELOPMENT
Ancillary Development may not dance around planning requirements, but its power lies in fulfilling the needs of primary living accommodations and annexes.
No dodging planning here – ancillary developments bring in the comforts of life with living essentials like a bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom, and thus require planning permission.
You want a granny annexe with a full suite of amenities? Step into the ring with Ancillary Development – but be prepared to go through the formal planning channels.
With Ancillary Development, the stakes are higher, but so are the rewards for homeowners who need fully-equipped living spaces for family members or guests.
FINAL ROUND: CHOOSING YOUR CONTENDER
As our two fighters return to their corners, it’s clear both Incidental and Ancillary have their place in the planning world for garden rooms and annexes. The choice between the two depends on your end game.
Need a garden gym, an art studio, or a storage building that flies under the radar? The Blue Corner’s Incidental Development is your champ.
Looking to create a self-contained annexe with all the comforts of a home? Red Corner’s Ancillary Development is ready.
In this battle of definitions, no one loses, except confusion itself! Now, with a clearer view of these two planning champs, homeowners can avoid miss advice and sidestep enforcement issues. Remember, the right contender makes all the difference – and now, you’re ready to pick a winner.
