Do I Need Planning Permission.co.uk
Making the most of your Home

I have a restrictive covenant on some land and gave permission for a summerhouse. However my neighbour has built a cabin/garden room which he uses for child minding. Is there a legal difference between a summerhouse and a garden room? A Google shows that it is mainly down to construction. He has erected a steel framed cabinet with 50mm insulated sandwich boards and double glazing. I believe a summerhouse is for the enjoyment of the home owner and occasional use as opposed to being able to be used all year round. Notwithstanding that there are 6 visitors a day and it is being used commercially.

Any advice or case law would be appreciated.

Thanks

Are you trying to establish whether they required Planning?

No. I am aware that Planning permission is required to erect a building if you are going to run a business and there are numerous daily visitors and this has been raised with the council.
My question is.. is there a Planning or legal difference between a summerhouse (which I believe should be timber framed and timber clad with standard windows etc) and a cabin/ garden room (which is steel framed and has insulation so that it can be used all year round)?

No. They’re just different names for what is an outbuilding.

Normally, a summerhouse is just for personal use, not all-year-round. But your neighbor's structure is well-built, insulated, and seems to be used regularly, maybe even for business.

If you're worried, you might want to check the rules about what's allowed on your land and if your neighbor's building follows them. If you're not sure, getting advice from someone who knows about these things could help.