Foundations

Whatever garden room, garden studio or garden pod you envisage a solid foundation is essential.  As part of our FREE design survey and consultation we’ll consider the primary purpose of your room within the context of the proposed site.  At Cedar Space our preference is to use a ground screw system where large screws up to 2.5m long are piled into the ground. The equipment is light and portable so moving it into place does not spoil your garden. The drilling does not tear up the grass, tarmac or other terrain.  Ground screws are also environmentally friendly in every way – they produce less carbon than an equivalent concrete foundation, causing less disruption to the ground, and require less plant machinery for digging. They are also great for working around tree roots and if you want to add decking, fencing or a hot tub then they accommodate all of these requirements.

Structure

Once the foundations are in place we are then ready to build your Cedar Space garden studio. The floors, walls and roofs are made from SIP panels constructed from oriented strand board with polyurethane foam filling. SIP panels are extremely efficient, draught free, strong and environmentally friendly.

Watertight

Once the structure is in place up it is made watertight using a breathable membrane on the walls and an EDPM roof.  The windows of your choice are then installed and everything is ready for the finishes that you have chosen.

Internal

The next stage involves the first fix of electrics as per your specification. Once these are in place we then plasterboard the inside ready for plastering – or we prepare them for any other finish that you may have selected in conjunction with our interior design team.

External

The external walls will now be prepared for the cladding. We obviously prefer cedar cladding but are also working on new designs that utilise cedar different ways.  You can explore these possibilities as part of our bespoke package to create a design that is truly individual.

Finishing

Once the plaster has dried the internal surfaces are painted.  This is followed by the second fix on the electrics wired to Part P regulations, the installation of the underfloor heating, followed by your chosen flooring and fitting the skirtings.

The site will then be thoroughly cleared, cleaned and all rubbish removed and disposed of correctly. We will then be ready for your inspection after which the keys are yours!

Planning and Permitted Development

Outbuildings (garden pods) are generally considered to be permitted developments under Class E, and do not need Planning Permission, subject to a number of limits and conditions.

In most cases Cedar Space Westbury garden pods can be installed under Permitted Development Class E and do not require planning permission.

This is subject to a number of limits and conditions.

The main conditions are as follows:

If sited within 2 metres (m) of a boundary then the building can be no higher than 2.5m from the bottom of the building to the top of the roof.

If sited more than 2m from a boundary then the building can have a monopitch roof height of 3m. If it has a dual pitch then it can have a maximum roof height of 4m.

The building can only be single storey.

Raised decking platforms can be no higher than 300mm otherwise planning will be required.

If the location of the pod is in front of the main elevation of the house then planning will be required.

Adding a garden pod, garden studio, or garden room must not exceed 50% of the total area of the land around the original house.  Sheds and all other extensions to the original must be included when calculating this 50% limit.

Any garden pod, garden studio or garden room must not be used as a self-contained living accommodation. It also cannot have a TV, or Satellite aerial.

Where the installation is on designated land and to the side or rear of the house, a garden pod, a garden studio or garden room will require planning permission

If the original dwelling has listed status then the garden pod, a garden studio or garden room will require planning permission.

In Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty such as National Parks, the Broads, Conservation Areas and World Heritage Sites, the maximum size of an outbuilding within 20 metres of the house will be limited to 10 square metres.