It’s one of the first questions we get asked: Do you Need Planning Permission for a Concrete Base in your garden?
In most standard situations in Slough, the answer is no — but there are important exceptions. The base itself is rarely the issue. It’s what’s going on top of it, where it’s positioned, and how large the structure is that usually determines whether permission is required.
Having installed concrete shed bases across Slough, Langley and Cippenham, we’ve seen a mix of straightforward jobs and a few where homeowners were surprised by restrictions. So it’s worth understanding the basics before you start digging.
If you're installing a concrete base for a typical garden shed, workshop or summerhouse in a standard residential property, it normally falls under “permitted development”.
Permitted development rights allow homeowners to build certain structures without applying for full planning permission, provided they meet size and location limits.
You can read the official guidance directly on the UK Government website here: Permitted development rights for householders (gov.uk).
In simple terms, most garden outbuildings do not need planning permission if:
The concrete base itself is considered groundwork supporting that structure. So if the building complies, the base usually does too.
There are situations in Slough where permission can become necessary.
We’ve come across this particularly with:
In older parts of Slough and near certain heritage areas, restrictions can be tighter. If you’re unsure, a quick call to the local planning department is always safer than assuming.
From our side, we won’t just arrive and pour concrete. If something looks oversized or unusually placed, we flag it first. It protects you and avoids wasted cost.
The biggest surprise is that planning permission and building regulations are not the same thing.
Small detached garden sheds generally don’t require building regulations approval either — unless they are used for sleeping accommodation or include plumbing or electrics that fall under other regulations.
Another common surprise is boundary height. If your shed sits within 2 metres of a boundary, height limits are stricter. That can affect how thick we build the base and whether a raised base is suitable.
Access is another real-world factor. Many Slough gardens have side returns or narrow paths. If excavation equipment can’t get through, groundwork becomes manual. That doesn’t affect planning, but it does affect preparation time and cost.
Whether permission is required or not, we follow the same careful process on every job.
We ask about shed size, intended use, access, and whether the property has any known restrictions.
We assess ground levels, drainage fall, soil condition and proximity to fences or structures. Slough soil can vary from firm compactable ground to softer patches that need deeper preparation.
We excavate to the correct depth, install a compacted MOT Type 1 sub-base, and use a weed membrane where appropriate. This prevents movement and reduces future settlement.
Depending on shed size, we may use steel mesh reinforcement. Concrete is levelled carefully to ensure the building sits flat — particularly important for timber structures.
We advise on curing time before erecting the shed. Rushing this stage is one of the most common mistakes DIY installations make.
You can see more detail about how we carry this out on our concrete shed base installation page.
Slough properties vary widely — from newer estates with open rear access to older terraces with limited entry routes.
Some common local factors we plan around:
Planning permission isn’t usually the complication — site logistics are.
That’s why experience on local properties matters. You can read more about us on our Concrete Shed Base Slough homepage.
In most cases, no. The slab supports the structure. Planning rules usually relate to the size and position of the shed or outbuilding.
Occasional office use is generally fine under permitted development. Permanent residential use would require further checks.
Not for permitted development. However, it’s always good practice to inform close neighbours if access or noise may temporarily affect them.
Yes. If something appears outside normal limits, we’ll mention it before any groundwork begins.
If you’re planning a shed or outbuilding in Slough and want straightforward advice before committing, feel free to call us.
We’re happy to talk through your plans and explain what’s normally required locally. You can also review our full installation details here: