Outbuilding / garden building in Ealing: Planning Permission Guide

Your guide to outbuildings and garden buildings in Ealing — sheds, home offices, summer houses, and more.

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Outbuilding / garden buildings in Ealing at a glance

81%

approved

£258

application fee

8

weeks typical

Based on 107 decided applications in Ealing over 12 months (87 granted, 20 refused).

Ealing has over 30 conservation areas including Bedford Park — England's first garden suburb, with notoriously strict design controls — plus Ealing Common, Hanwell, Northfields, and Walpole. Listed building density is high in Bedford Park. Article 4 Directions restrict external changes in Bedford Park and other heritage areas, targeting window replacements and external alterations. The council's conservation enforcement is consistently active.

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Approval probability, 5 nearest comparables, refusal reasons — for your specific address.

Recent outbuilding / garden building decisions in Ealing

The 5 most recent decided applications. Addresses redacted to postcode area.

Granted

Single storey detached garden outbuilding (following demolition of existing shed)

W32026-03-30
Granted

Details of Arboricultural Monitoring Program part pursuant to condition 12 (part discharge - condition 12(b)) of planning permission ref:…

W52026-03-24
Granted

Enlargement of existing outbuilding (following part demolition of existing outbuilding) associated external and internal alterations; alt…

W32026-03-04
Granted

Single storey detached garden outbuilding to be used as home office and gym (following demolition of existing shed)

UB62026-03-03
Granted

Single storey detached rear outbuilding for use as a gym and garden office

W52026-03-02

These are borough-wide. See the 5 nearest to your address.

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Permitted Development Rules

Class EPart 1

Buildings etc incidental to the enjoyment of a dwellinghouse

GPDO 2015, Schedule 2, Part 1, Class E

Outbuildings are covered by Part 1, Class E of the GPDO. They must be incidental to the enjoyment of the house and placed to the rear of the property.

Key dimension limits

Max 2.5m if within 2m of boundaryMax 4m with pitched roof (away from boundary)Total coverage ≤50% of garden

These are the maximum GPDO limits for a detached house with no constraints. Your actual limits depend on your property type, location, and any planning restrictions.

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Typical Costs in London

Outbuilding costs range widely depending on whether you're building a basic timber shed or a fully insulated home office with electrics and plumbing.

Outbuilding / garden buildingLondon

Cost per m²

£1,200£2,500

construction rate

Typical total

£10,000£30,000

Based on 8–15

Typically includes

FoundationsStructureRoofInsulationElectrics

Typically excludes

PlumbingPlanning application feeBuilding regs fee

A basic timber garden room is at the low end. Insulated home offices with electrics and plumbing are at the higher end.

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Which Professionals Do You Need?

Most outbuildings don't require professional design. Garden room suppliers often provide designs, and a competent builder can handle construction.

A draughtsperson or architectural technician can prepare any drawings needed. A full architect may not be necessary.

Architect / designerOptional

Garden buildings and garages can often use supplier designs or simple drawings from a draughtsperson.

Typical fee: £500£2,000 (Basic drawings)

Structural engineerNot needed
Party wall surveyorOptional

May apply if the work is within 3 metres of a shared boundary. Check with your builder.

Typical fee: £700£1,500 (per neighbour (if applicable))

Planning consultantNot needed

This guidance is based on a typical semi-detached house with no special constraints. Listed buildings, conservation areas, and attached properties may require additional professional input.

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Conservation Areas & Listed Buildings

The same Class E rules apply in conservation areas. Total outbuilding coverage must not exceed 50% of the curtilage area.

Conservation areas

Properties in conservation areas often have reduced permitted development rights. Some project types (like side extensions) lose PD rights entirely. An Article 4 Direction can remove additional PD rights.

Listed buildings

Listed buildings (Grade I, II*, or II) have no permitted development rights at all. Any external alteration requires Listed Building Consent in addition to any planning permission. An architect experienced in heritage work is essential.

Check if your property is in a conservation area or has other planning constraints.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Just want a quick yes/no for your outbuilding / garden building?

Run our free 2-minute check to see whether your project likely qualifies as permitted development in Ealing. For personalised approval odds and nearby comparables, get the full report above.

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