As far as we are aware from the many years of feedback we have had working with thousands of customers all over the country, it is legal to build a log cabin in the UK, as long as you follow the relevant guidelines depending on your location and the recognised intended use of your log cabin as it may fall into either a planning permission requirement and possibly include building regulations.

From my personal experience working with a number of customers all around the country local planning authorities have differing perspectives and interpretations of what the guidelines are and in some cases local parish councils have been involved .

According to planningportal.co.uk the rules for planning permission apply to sheds, playhouses, greenhouses and garages as well as other ancillary garden buildings such as swimming pools, ponds, sauna cabins, kennels, enclosures (including tennis courts) and many other kinds of structure for a purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the dwellinghouse.

When we are asked for advice on planning permission for a log cabin the answer always seems to start with an apology sorry we are not planning advisors please check with your local planning office if there is any doubt.

As a rule of thumb your log cabin should be situated forward of the principal elevation, within 2 metres of your boundary the overall height is not to exceed 2.5 metres in height, your building should cover more than 50% of your total grounds which includes other outbuildings such as sheds, greenhouses, workshops etc

There may be other things such as Heritage sites or areas of outstanding natural beauty where you might be required to use a certain material for your building or even a colour which will be in keeping with the surrounding area