Ground Level or Interior Floor Level

[Mark-UK]

Working on my shed I've a height limit of 2.5 metres.

Is this measured from the outside of the shed or from the floor inside the shed? I ask because there's a difference of about 3"

 

[oldbutnotdead]

Outside

 

[Mark-UK]

Thanks

That might be a bit of a problem. Any way I can work around that? Bring the ground level outside flush with the interior? I find it crazy they'll measure from the one section it's lower when everywhere else it's flush.

 

[oldbutnotdead]

Who will be measuring? If you've done it under PD then the council won't be bothering you unless someone complains. And I believe you're allowed to take the level from the highest bit of ground adjacent to the shed (so if you're on a bit of a slope then 2.5 at the top of the slope would be OK).

 

[Mark-UK]

Who will be measuring? If you've done it under PD then the council won't be bothering you unless someone complains. And I believe you're allowed to take the level from the highest bit of ground adjacent to the shed (so if you're on a bit of a slope then 2.5 at the top of the slope would be OK).

The council. They know about the shed, they've had me abide by their rules and I have done, and they'll come out when it's finished.

It does come under PD but because I've encroached into the 2-metre boundary on either side by about 3 to 4 cm, the height can be no higher than 2.5m. This is a little short and if they measure from ground level it's going to be even shorter.

The ground outside the shed is pretty much flush with the interior floor but there's a spot of about 3' wide where it's about 4" below. But, if as you say they'll measure from the highest point, I should be ok.

Was thinking of building up the shallow part with earth and grass, pack it all in until it's flush.

 

[oldbutnotdead]

Joy joy. Once they've been and done their measuring you might want to reduce ground level round the shed by 4" or so (reduce damp splash problems).

 

[Mark-UK]

It's a concrete floor with dpc all around so I'm hoping I won't have to

 

[big-all]

its from the highest natural point it covers so padding out the ground wont work
as old un said the planning portals say adjacent as this assumes a natural continuation to whats under the building but the ground underneath is more relivent as that is a definitive datum point if you have any real problem

 

[John D v2.0]

Also if you're 196cm from the boundary rather than 200cm needed for >2.5m then they aren't going to enforce anything based on that, no one could know by looking. Another option is to apply for full planning but it would be a waste of time and money.

 

[Mark-UK]

This is what I was thinking of doing, going for full planning permission, but as said, it's going to cost time, money and just not going to be worth it.

Have I got this right, there is one spot around the shed that's 4" below the interior floor level but everywhere else it's about 1" (if that). They'll measure from the 1" drop?

 

[John D v2.0]

Yes.
The official rule is measure from the highest adjacent natural ground level. Not sure how they define that in court, but presumably the planning team have bigger priorities then enforcing 3 inches on a garden shed.

 

[Mark-UK]

Thanks all

Much appreciated.