THE SANCTUARY - LEISURE GARDEN ROOM

We deliver your RECO Space using a HIAB-equipped lorry which is capable of lifting over small fences, bushes etc. It will however, require good access to position itself with extendable out-riggers while in operation.

If access is restricted, we can arrange for a fully-insured lift plan & crane operator to lift the Reco Space into position for you. A site survey would need to be undertaken prior to ordering.

The requirement for planning permission will depend on the status of the building, the area you live in and the size of the building.

In simple terms the following rules of planning apply:

Designated Land

If you live in a Designated Land area or your home is listed you will need planning.  Designated land includes:

• National Parks
• The Broads
• Areas of outstanding natural beauty.
• Conservation areas
• World heritage sites

You should also check to see if your area has an Article 4 direction which removes certain permitted development rights.

Part E permitted development.

If you house is not listed and the area is not Designated or Subject to an Article 4 Direction you can build a garden room in your garden within Part E of permitted development.

The definition of Part E is:

“The provision within the curtilage of the dwellinghouse of any building required for a purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the dwellinghouse.”

 The restrictions for Part E of permitted development are:

• The building must be single storey.
• Maximum eaves height of 2.5m.
• Overall height of 4m with a dual pitched roof or 3m in any other case.
• If the building is within 2m of the boundary the whole building should not exceed 2.5m in height.

Caravan Act 1968

As Reco Life buildings are mobile you may be able to take advantage of the Caravans Act 1968. And the limitations in size will then be 6m wide by 20m long with an internal ceiling height no more than 3.05m.

The First Schedule of The Caravan Act 1968 states that:

“A site licence shall not be required for the use of land as a caravan site if the use is incidental to the enjoyment as such of a dwelling house within the curtilage of which the land is situated.”

The definition of a caravan is:

“… Any structure designed or adapted for human habitation which is capable of being moved from one place to another (whether being towed, or by being transported on a motor vehicle or trailer) and any motor vehicle so designed or adapted but does not include.

(A)    Any railway rolling stock which is for the time being on rails forming part of a system, or

(B)    Any tent”

Section 13 (1) of the Caravan Sites Act 1968, which deals with twin-unit caravans. Section 13 (1) provides that:

“A structure designed or adapted for human habitation which:

(A)    Is composed of not more than two sections separately constructed and designed to be assembled on a site by means of bolts, clamps and other devices; and

(B)    Is, when assembled, physically capable of being moved by road from one place to another (whether being towed, or by being transported on a motor vehicle or trailer), shall not be treated as not being (or have been) a caravan within the means of Part 1 of the Caravan Sites Control of Development Act 1960 by reason only that it cannot lawfully be moved on a highway when assembled”.

Amendment of the definition of caravan 2006
(Permissible Additional Purposes) (England) Order 2006[4]
 Paragraph 3 of article 3 of the Social Landlords (Permissible Additional Purposes) (England) Order 2006 (meaning of caravan) shall be amended:
(a)           Length (exclusive of any drawbar) 20m (65.6FT)
(b)           Width: 6.8m (22.3ft)
(c)           Overall height (measured internally from the floor at the lowest level to the ceiling at the highest    level) 3.05m (10ft)

In the majority of cases you will be able to take advantage of the Caravan act 1968 and will not require planning. The team at Reco Life will be happy to advise on this matter and where required, assist in discussions with the planning authority.

Our structures are constructed from individual or multiples of recycled once-used shipping containers and as such come in standard sizes.

The majority of our range will be:

• Height 89m or 2.59m
• Length 99m, 6.06m or 12.2m
• Width 43m or 4.86m

The structure, doors and windows come with a 10 year warranty. The warranty for the finishes will depend on your choices. The Reco Life team will be happy to provide more information.

Reco Life offer a full interior and exterior architectural design service. You will be presented with a full-colour interior and external 3D render before construction starts, which brings the project to life and allows you to see exactly what you are buying.

As standard we install aluminium 3-pane bi-fold doors and tilt and turn windows with a 10-year guarantee. You have the option to upgrade to French or sliding doors or even a 5-pane bi-fold door.

You will also have the option to include integral blinds in all doors and windows.

If your company leases the space and has it delivered to your property you could incur a HMRC benefit in kind tax liability. To calculate the potential tax liability, use the following formulae:

Gross annual lease cost x % used for private use x tax rate.

If the Space cost £7200 per annum including VAT and you are a higher rate tax payer that lets the family use the space at the weekend or 28.5% of the time, your tax liability would be:

£7,200 x 28.5% x 40% = £820.80 per annum benefit in kind tax.