Do I need a Lawful Development Certificate for my log cabin?

More often than not, bespoke log cabins do not require planning permission when they are erected in gardens or on private land.

Most outdoor huts and gazebos fall short of height requirements and are not used for a more permanent residence, so working with local planning teams is usually unnecessary, other than asking for general advice.

There are times though when it might be appropriate to apply for a Lawful Development Certificate - often referred to as LDC's. 

A Lawful Development Certificate can be applied for to prove that planning permission was not needed for the building. Although having an LDC is not a legal obligation, they may be needed if, for example, the main house is up for sale. Potential buyers may want to see evidence that the garden cabin room was lawfully built, and they can be applied for retrospectively.

Lawful Development Certificates do not have an expiry date, which means once they have been obtained, they will last as long as a garden office cabin, for instance, is standing. 

Once this document has been issued, it cannot be repealed unless there are explicit breaches of the terms. It might be stated for example, that garden rooms located in the UK cannot be used as residential homes; if they are then used for this purpose, the LDC can be revoked.

For more information on log cabins in the UK, as well as advice about planning permission, our team of dedicated experts can help. Get in touch with us at Logspan today.