This is a question we get asked all the time, and the answer is…it depends!

Yes that is a rubbish answer, but let me expand on it.

Each country…Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales have their own government guidance…ok that’s simple.

Each county might have expanded on that and added their own guidance. So it really is a postcode lottery!

But here is what we suggest.

1. If you want to protect the structure for years to come you will need to get round it, so keep it at least 5ocm away from a wall. Remember that most cabins walls extend 10cm beyond the cabin, so take this into account.
2. You don’t want rain water to run off the structure into your neighbours garden, so consider this too.
3. If you keep the structure 1m away from the boundary this should keep Scottish Planners happy, although please check with your local guidance first. This will be from the closest point of the structure, which will usually be the roof overhang.
4. If all else fails and you can’t keep it 1m away from the boundary, a structure 2.5m in height or under will fit the bill. Keep the base of the cabin as close to the ground as possible…don’t put this on top of a decking which is 1m up, that’s asking for trouble.
5. Talk to your neighbours, keep them in the loop as Planners find out about new structures from neighbours.
6. And finally if you have fallen foul of Planning, ask about retrospective planning permission. This is possible.