Advice & Guidance

As a general rule outdoor timber buildings / playcentre’s are treated as temporary structures for the purpose of planning permission and so generally permission is not needed.

Each planning authority has its own rules but general planning exemptions for garden buildings are:

• The structure must be less than 4 metres high to the top of a ridged roof if it is to be beyond 2 metres from a boundary. If it has a flat roof the maximum height should be 3 metres.
• The structure must be less than 2.5 metres high if within 2 metres from the boundary.
• The structure should be 5 metres away from the dwelling.
• The structure must not be sited between the dwelling and the main highway.
• The structure does not have a floor area in excess of 30 square metres.
• If the structure has a floor area of more than 15 square metres it should be 1 metre from the boundary.
• Raised platforms must be no more than 30cm above the ground. 

If your dwelling is listed or in a Conservation Area there may be local planning differences. A phone call to the local planning department should clarify the situation.The actual process is best managed by yourself as you are 'the customer' of your local planning authority and will find it easier to have an informal discussion with them. Further information can be found at the government planning portal.

All of the products we offer at Space for Life can be made bespoke to your requirements. We are able to offer any size or shape of structure to fit that awkward space/corner. Structures can be made on platforms (see planning) negating steep slopes, uneven ground or small spaces doubling your storage/play area.  All that is required is a 15cm gap to aid air flow around the structure.

If access may be an issue please inform a member of the Space for Life team before placing an order. Our products can be built in a variety of ways to negate possible access issues. To aid installation and reduce costs our structures are built in panel form no bigger than 180cm by 120cm (8ft by 6ft). If access to the back garden is solely through the house these panels will fit through a standard door. If access is restricted within the house due to bends in passageways or between rooms please inform a member of our team.

The sub base on which the structure sits needs to be level.

Sub bases can be:

• Slabs
• Shingle
• Decking
• Concrete
• Tarmac

If the structure is to be located in an area where no sub base exists we would be happy to advise on and/or install a sub base for you. This work would be undertaken at an additional cost. Please speak to a member of the Space for Life team for guidance and advice.

To ensure you get the most from your Space for Life item we recommend finishing with a Cuprinol or Farrow and Ball product. We’ll happily recommend and source products to ensure you get the best finish possible and will apply these in our workshop prior to installation to ensure no mess or fuss.

Due to the high quality design, materials and finish, Space for Life products are guaranteed against structural and design defects for one year (this does not cover acts of vandalism, misuse or exceptional natural events). Our timber is sourced from Forestry Stewardship Council suppliers and is guaranteed against rot and insect attack for 2 years.  Pressure treated timber is guaranteed against rot and insect attack for 5 years as long as maintenance instructions are adhered to. Timber is a natural product and is not guaranteed against distortion or cracking.

Maintaining your Space for Life product will prolong the use and enjoyment you get from it.

Maintenance includes:

• Ensure good air circulation around and under your product.
• Poor ventilation in your Space for Life product my result in mould. This can be removed by wiping with a weak bleach solution and prevented by improving circulation by opening doors or windows.
• The timber paint /preserve will need reapplying, typically 2 – 4  years.
• Damaged areas will need sanding and recoating with paint/preserve as soon as they are discovered.  
• Clean decking with a weak bleach solution to kill off slippery fungi.