Do I need planning permission for a garden rooms & outbuildings in Cambridge City Council?
Typical answer
In most cases, garden rooms & outbuildings in Cambridge City Council fall under Permitted Development rights (Part 1 Class E), meaning no planning application is needed, subject to Article 4 restrictions, conservation-area flags, and the specific thresholds below. If your property is in a conservation area, Article 4 area, or involves a listed building, additional restrictions apply and you should verify your position before starting work.
Source: Part 1 Class E — legislation.gov.uk · Verified 2026-04-19
Free five-minute check. No account needed.
Permitted Development rules
Part 1 Class E thresholds
These are the key numerical limits under Part 1 Class E of the General Permitted Development Order 2015. Your project must satisfy all of them to qualify as Permitted Development.
| Clause | Rule | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| E.1(b) | 50% garden coverage (buildings + enclosures + containers) | Max fraction of curtilage: 0.5 |
| E.1(e) | Overall height caps (dual-pitched / other / within 2m of boundary) | Dual pitched roof (m): 4; Other roof (m): 3; Within 2m of boundary (m): 2.5 |
| E.1(f) | Eaves height | Max eaves (m): 2.5 |
| E.1(j) | Oil/LPG container capacity ≤ 3,500 litres | Max container (litres): 3500 |
| Source: Part 1 Class E — legislation.gov.uk | ||
Cambridge City Council planning data
Local planning facts
Approval rate
0.9%
Below average for householder applications
Source: MHCLG Planning Statistics (PS2)
Planning application fee
£548
Householder application (national fee)
Reviewed April 2026 · gov.uk source
Submission portal
Portal link not yet listed for Cambridge City Council. Use the national Planning Portal.
Other project types in Cambridge City Council
Get a verdict for your specific property
The rules above apply nationally. Your assessment checks your specific address against Article 4 directions, conservation area boundaries, and listed building status — in under five minutes.
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