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30.04.2024 - 15:07 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Millions of Brits will now be venturing outside to sort their gardens out ahead of the summer. There are many ways that you can improve your outdoor space from laying down new decking or patio, to sorting the hedges or even adding in a garden room.
However, one home improvement specialist has warned how some of these common garden improvements could lead to a hefty fine, or in some extreme cases, even a criminal record.
Sean Bunyan, head of commercial operations at Eurocell, explains how easily homeowners who are improving their gardens can be caught out by planning restrictions or expensive disputes with neighbours. He breaks down how to improve your garden while staying on the right side of the law and avoiding fines of up to £20,000.
READ MORE: 'I make £85,000 a year renting out my swimming pool - it's our main income'
Understanding permitted development
Before diving into your garded, it’s important to understand the rules around Permitted Development (PD). PD is a concept in UK planning law that allows homeowners to carry out certain types of home and garden design work without obtaining planning permission. Several stringent requirements go along with PD, such as height, area, proximity to your neighbours, and more.
PD allows for smaller-scale projects that meet specific criteria outlined by legislation. All projects, however, must comply with the predefined rules.
Factors like listed-building status, conservation areas, impact on the environment or locations within an Area of Natural Beauty (AONB) can override permitted development rights, requiring planning permission.
Height restrictions with decking
Installing composite decking has become a more popular garden trend in recent years, but there are
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Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps stars Will Mellor and Ralf Little reunited as they shared a photo together with fans.
King Charles and Prince Harry's relationship has been fractured ever since the Duke of Sussex decided to quit his Royal duties in 2020 along with his wife Meghan Markle.The Monarch decided not to meet with Prince Harry during his London visit, with one Royal expert suggesting King Charles was worried about being recorded.The Duke of Sussex, 39, returned to the UK earlier this week to take part in a number of Invictus Games engagements. Harry had hoped he would be able to meet with his father, but King Charles was too busy to see him.
Many mortgage holders that are due to renew later this year will be frustrated with the news that the Bank of England has decided to hold interest rates at 5.25 per cent for another month, as the UK continues to battle the high inflation that has pushed up everyone's cost of living. But there is some good news.
King Charles was surrounded by members of the Royal Family in a display of unity at the Buckingham Palace garden party on Wednesday, May 8, which coincidentally took place just minutes before Prince Harry's special service for the Invictus Games.The King was spotted mingling with over 8,000 guests at the party, located just over two miles from where Harry was scheduled to attend a thanksgiving service marking the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games at St Paul's Cathedral. Queen Camilla was by his side, and other working royals including Princess Anne, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Edward and Sophie, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, were also present, making it a grand royal gathering.
With summer fast approaching, keen gardeners will be pruning hedges, planting flowers and pulling up weeds in the garden in preparation for the growing season.
Morgan Freeman, Olivier Marchal and Simone Ashley will be lauded at the Monte-Carlo TV Festival in June. Prince Albert II of Monaco will present Freeman with Festival’s Crystal Nymph award.
Kate Middleton has reportedly set just one condition for meeting with Prince Harry should he visit the UK this week. According to royal commentator Ingrid Seward, the Princess of Wales is only open to seeing Harry if the request is directly approved by King Charles.
UK borrowers may have to wait longer to see interest rates come down, as policy-makers look set to hold out for stronger signs that the cost of living crisis has subsided. The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), which sets the level of UK interest rates, will announce its latest decision on Thursday.
UK holidaymakers heading abroad this year are being warned to stay wary of a hidden charge that could impact the budget they have set by for their trip.
Olly Murs was replaced by an up-and-coming Scottish singer discovered in a hotel bar after he had to cancel his performance at the last minute - and Gary Barlow thanked him for 'saving the day'. Fans were full of praise for the young talent who stepped in for Olly when he couldn't make it to open for Take That at their Glasgow gig in OVO Hydro. Olly was all set to warm up the crowd for the legendary 90s group over a three-night stint but was left stranded due to a series of flight delays.
The doomed Titan submarine may have imploded due to "micro-buckling" after multiple dives eroded its exterior, an expert has claimed.
A gardening expert has revealed a hack for growing your own food from supermarket vegetables.
A national medical expert says she would not have recommended a procedure that was botched and killed a fellow leading professor had she been given vital information about his condition.
Meghan Markle has been criticised for her decision not to accompany Prince Harry during his upcoming UK visit for a poignant event, with one royal expert branding the move "sad".
A Home Bargains enthusiast has taken to social media to rave about their latest find - a 'lovely' garden mirror that's been snagged for the 'perfect price'. The budget-savvy shopper shared images of their newly adorned garden on the Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK Facebook group.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to visit Nigeria next month for talks on the Invictus Games but one royal expert claims that their visit is an attempt to "one-up" the Royal Family.
Founded by Gordon Rigg himself, the Garden Centre began as just a greenhouse, a shed, and a small selection of garden tools. However, fuelled by his passion for gardening and a vision for growth, Gordon Rigg's Centres have flourished over the decades, expanding exponentially to become one of the largest garden centres in the North West.
Prince Harry is heading to London on May 8 for the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games – and royal watchers are wondering if his family will welcome him with open arms. The Duke of Sussex, who lives in California, is commemorating the games for wounded armed forces members, both serving and veterans. "There will be no senior members of the royal family to support Prince Harry," Kinsey Schofield, host of the "To Di For Daily" podcast, told Fox News Digital.
With the UK weather teasing us with brief moments of sunshine before being overtaken by clouds and rain, we don't want to jinx it but we might finally be in for a proper warm and sunny spell.This can only mean one thing; it's time for a garden makeover. If you're searching for something to jazz up your outdoor space, Wilko's huge garden furniture sale is the perfect place to grab some bargains.